Central Karoo District Municipal Spatial Development Framework (SDF)

Draft SDF for Public Comment

September 2019 2.3.2 The 2017 - 2022 Central Karoo Integrated Development Plan Table of Contents (IDP) 2.3.3 The Central Karoo Rural Development Plan 1 INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND … 1 2.3.4 The Municipal Economic Review and Outlook (MERO) 1.1 Purpose of the Report … 1 2.3.5 Central Karoo Socio-Economic Profile (2016) 1.2 Process and Timeframes … 1 2.4 ADJACENT MUNICIPAL INFORMANTS … 13 1.2.1 SDF Amendment Process 2.4.1 Namakwa DM SDF (North West) 1.2.2 Methodology 1.2.3 Public Engagements 2.4.2 Pixley ka Seme DM SDF (North East) 1.3 Structure of this Report … 3 2.4.3 Sarah Baartman SDF (East) 2.4.4 Eden DM SDF (South) 1.4 Problem Statement … 4 2.4.5 Cape Winelands SDF (West) 1.5 Brief Overview of the Municipality … 4

2 POLICY AND LEGISLATIVE CONTEXT … 6 2.5 LOCAL MUNICIPAL PLANNING INFORMANTS … 16 2.5.1 Prince Albert Municipality IDP

2.5.2 Laingsburg IDP 2.1 RELEVANT NATIONAL POLICY AND LEGISLATION … 6 2.1.1 National Development Plan 2030 2.5.3 Beaufort West IDP 2.1.2 Integrated Urban Development Framework (IUDF) 2.5.4 The Local Municipal Spatial Development Frameworks of Beaufort West, Prince Albert & Laingsburg 2.1.3 The Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act, 2013

(Act 16 of 2013) (SPLUMA) 2.1.4 Municipal Systems Act, 2000 (Act 32 of 2000) 3 STATUS QUO ASSESSMENT … 18 2.1.5 The Local Government: Municipal Planning and Performance 3.1 THE BIO-PHYSICAL AND NATURAL ENVIRONMENT ASSESSMENT… 18 Management Regulations, 2001 (LG: MP&PM Regulations) 3.1.1 Geology, Topography, Landscape Character & Scenic Assets 2.1.6 Implications for the Central Karoo Municipality 3.1.2 Climate & Climate Change 2.2 RELEVANT PROVINCIAL POLICY AND LEGISLATION … 8 3.1.3 Water Resources & Hydrology 3.1.4 Agriculture 2.2.1 The Western Cape Provincial Spatial Development 3.1.5 Biodiversity and Biodiversity Conservation Framework (PSDF) 2.2.2 The Western Cape Land Use Planning Act, 2014 (Act No. 3 OF 3.1.6 Minerals Resources 2014) (LUPA) 3.1.7 SWOT of the Natural Environment

2.2.3 The Western Cape Human Settlements Framework (2017) 3.2 SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONDITIONS … 32

2.3 DISTRICT PLANNING INFORMANTS … 9 3.2.1 Demographic Profile 2.3.1 The Central Karoo Spatial Development Framework, 2014 (CK 3.2.2 Education 3.2.3 Health SDF) 3.2.4 Crime, Safety & Security 3.2.5 Access to Basic Services 3.2.6 Land Reform & Rural Development 4.2.2 Strategy B: Improve regional and rural accessibility and 3.2.7 Property Market Patterns mobility for people and goods in support of a resilient economy 3.2.8 Income & Employment 3.2.9 The Economy 4.2.3 Strategy C: Allocate government resources, infrastructure and 3.2.10 Tourism facilities in a manner that uplifts and skills people and focusses 3.2.11 Gini Coefficient on maximising impact on the most possible people, while 3.2.12 Human Development Index (HDI) providing a basic level of service for all in the settlements of the 3.2.13 Municipal Finances Karoo 3.2.14 SWOT of the Socio-Economic Conditions 4.2.4 Strategy D: Partnership-Driven Governance and administration 3.3 BUILT ENVIRONMENT ASSESSMENT … 45 towards improved financial and non-financial Sustainability 3.3.1 Urban Settlements & Settlement Hierarchy and Resilience 3.3.2 Housing 3.3.3 Road, Rail & Public Transport 3.3.4 Water Infrastructure 3.3.5 Waste Infrastructure 3.3.6 Energy & Electricity 3.3.7 Heritage Cover image references: 3.3.8 SWOT of the Built Environment https://af.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beaufort-Wes

3.4 SYNTHESIS AND KEY ISSUES … 56 https://www.western-cape-info.com/provinces/town

4 SPATIAL PROPOSALS FOR THE CENTRAL KAROO … 60

4.1 Spatial Concept … 60 4.1.1 Spatial Vision Statement … 60 4.1.2 Future Demand Approach Statement … 63 4.1.3 Municipal-Wide Spatial Concept Diagram … 66 4.1.4 Settlement-Specific Spatial Concepts … 68

4.2 Municipal-Wide Spatial Strategies … 70

4.2.1 Strategy A: A Region that protects the environment, enhances resilience, and capitalizes on and honour’s the Karoo charm in support of a vibrant people and growing the economy

List of Figures Figure 2.12: The Eden District SDF Figure 2.13: A composite map of all 3 local municipal SDF’s in the Figure 1.1: The relationship between the SDF, and sector plans Central Karoo

Figure 1.2: The methodology in undertaking the SDF amendment - Figure 3.1a: Elevation and Landscape Features Map of Central Karoo identifying both the process to be followed and the District Municipality product to be developed Figure 3.1b: Geological formations of the Central Karoo Figure 1.3: A Locality map of the Central Karoo Figure 3.1c: Cross-section depicting landscape character of the Figure 2.1: The Vision, Strategic Goals and Levers in the Integrated Central Karoo Urban Development Framework (COGTA, 2016) Figure 3.1d: Landscape Character zones of the Central Karoo Figure 2.2: The PSDF Composite Map Figure 3.1e: Soil types of the Central Karoo Figure 2.3: The GDP and Employment provided in the Primary Sector (Central Karoo LG SEP, 2016) Figure 3.2 -Köppen-Geiger Climate Classification Map of Central Karoo District Municipality Figure 2.4: The GDP and Employment provided in the Manufacturing part of the Secondary Sector (Central Karoo LG SEP, 2016) Figure 3.3a: Mean Annual Precipitation Map for Central Karoo District Municipality Figure 2.5: The GDP and Employment provided in the Construction part of the Secondary Sector (Central Karoo LG SEP, 2016) Figure 3.3b: Ground Water Resource Potential of the Central Karoo

Figure 2.6: The GDP and Employment provided in the Commercial Figure 3.4: Area Surface Water Map for Central Karoo District Services part of the Tertiary Sector (Central Karoo LG SEP, 2016) Municipality

Figure 2.7: The GDP and Employment provided in the Government, Figure 3.5: Agricultural activities Map for Central Karoo District Community, Social and Personal Services part of the Tertiary Sector Municipality (Central Karoo LG SEP, 2016) Figure 3.6: Areas Biomes Map for Central Karoo District Municipality Figure 2.8: Adjacent Municipal Planning Informants Figure 3.7: Biodiversity Planning Land Use Map for Central Karoo Figure 2.9: The Namakwa District SDF District Municipality (Western Cape Biodiversity Spatial Plan, 2017) Figure 2.10: The Pixley District SDF

Figure 2.11: The Sarah Baartman District SDF Figure 3.7: Biodiversity Planning Land Use Map for Central Karoo Figure 3.20: Economic Performance per sector (2005 – 2016) District Municipality (Western Cape Biodiversity Spatial Plan, 2017) Figure 3.21: Total Employment Index Map for the Central Karoo District Municipality Figure 3.8a: Composite risk of shale gas development (CSIR, 2016) Figure 3.22: Broader Karoo Tourism Themes. Figure 3.8b: Mineral Resources Map for Central Karoo District Municipality Figure 3.23a: Comparison of the Tourism Character of Central Karoo District Towns. Figure 3.9: Area Population Density Map for Central Karoo District Municipality Figure 3.23b: Landscape Character Map for the Central Karoo

Figure 3.10: Changes in the Dependency Ratio for the Central Karoo Figure 3.24: Settlement Hierarchy Map for the Central Karoo District between 2011 and 2023 Municipality

Figure 3.11: Education Facilities Map for the Central Karoo District Figure 3.25: Planned Housing Projects for the Central Karoo District Municipality Municipality

Figure 3.13: Healthy and Safety Social Facilities Map for the Central Figure 3.26: Total Road Network Lengths in Central Karoo District Karoo District Municipality Municipality

Figure 3.14: ART patients in the Western Cape Figure 3.27: Landfill and Waste Management Sites Map for the Central Karoo District Municipality Figure 3.15: Percentages of Households with Access to Basic Services Figure 3.31: Costs of additional infrastructure required until 2030 Figure 3.16a: Land Reform Map for the Central Karoo District Municipality Figure 3.32: Energy Utilities Map for the Central Karoo District Municipality Figure 3.16b: Agri-Parks, FPSU catchment areas (60km) and Rural Nodes in the Central Karoo Figure 3.33: Table of Central Karoo District heritage elements and their descriptions Figure 3.17: Table of Findings for Average Open Market Property Prices Analysis for Central Karoo District Figure 3.34: Synthesis map 1: Key issues and Opportunities in the region

Figure 3.18: The GDP per capita of each District within the Western Figure 3.35: Synthesis map 2: Key Resource and Environmental issues Cape and Opportunities in the region

Figure 3.19: Central Karoo District Employment Growth Per Sector Figure 3.36: Synthesis map 3: Key built environment issues and (2005 – 2016) opportunities in the region Figure 3.36: Synthesis map 3: Key built environment issues and charm in support of a vibrant people and growing the opportunities in the region economy

Figure 4.2: The four strategies underpinning the spatial vision for the Figure 4.14: Indicating heritage and scenic resources in the municipality Central Karoo Figure 4.15: A heat map of agricultural activities, and agriculutral Figure 4.3: The nsdf’s ‘social services wheel’ (NSDF, 2019) infrastructure

Figure 4.4: The population projections per settlement for the central Figure 4.16: Improve regional and rural accessibility and mobility for Karoo up until 2030 people and goods in support of a resilient economy

Figure 4.5: The household projections per settlement for the central Figure 4.17: How existing school sites can be ‘wrapped’ with Karoo up until 2030 different housing typologies to provide passive surveillance, optimise land use and include other public facilities (wcg, Figure 4.6: The land requirement projections per settlement for the 2015) central Karoo up until 2030 Figure 4.18: Riebeek Primary School in Belhar, Cape Town, where Figure 4.7: New facilities required to support 2933 new households by housing has been ‘wrapped around’ the school site and 2030 in the Central Karoo the hall is multifunctional for both school and community use. Figure 4.8: The spatial concept for the Central Karoo Figure 4.19: The integrated work plan as seen as an annual cycle Figure 4.9: Land must be used efficiently. low density development typologies are costly for the municipality to service and Figure 4.20: Composite spatial development framework for the create inequitable settlements that are costly to live in Central Karoo indicating spatial planning categories

Figure 4.10: The top 10 urban design dimensions for walkability

Figure 4.11a: Typical Karoo-style road-fronting town cottage Figure 4.11b: Another typical Karoo-style road-fronting town cottage

Figure 4.11c: Typical Karoo-style road-fronting town cottage

Figure 4.11d: Typical Karoo-style road-fronting town cottage figure 4.12: A table showing how to convert a biodiversity spatial plan map to a spatial planning category map Figure 4.13: A region that protects the environment, enhances resilience and capitalises on and honour’s the Karoo List of Acronyms MTREF – Medium Term Revenue and Expenditure Framework NDP - National Development Plan CBA – Critical Biodiversity Area NDPG – Neighbourhood Partnership Development Grant CBD – Central Business District NEMA - National Environmental Management Act DEA&DP - Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (WCG) NHRA - National Heritage Resources Act

DRDLR - Department of Rural Development and Land Reform NMT - Non-Motorised Transport

DM - District Municipality NPC – National Planning Commission

ECD – Early Childhood Development PSDF – Western Cape Provincial Spatial Development Framework, 2014 FET – Further Education and Training PAM – Prince Albert Municipality FLISP – Financed Linked Individual Subsidy Programme SDF - Spatial Development Framework GDP - Gross Domestic Product SGD – Shale Gas Development GPS - Growth Potential Study SPLUMA - Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act, HDI – Human Development Index 2013 (Act 16 of 2013) HSP – Human Settlement Plan SQ - Status Quo IDP - Integrated Development Plan WC - Western Cape ISC – Intergovernmental Steering Committee WCG - Western Cape Government LUPA - Land Use Planning Act, 2014 (Act 3 of 2014) WWTW – Waste Water Treatment Works MSA – Municipal Systems Act, 200 (Act 32 of 2000)

MSDF - Municipal Spatial Development Framework

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION & BACKGROUND TO THE CENTRAL KAROO SDF

• Identifying growth nodes, priority investment 1.2. PROCESS AND TIMEFRAMES areas and areas of rural decay within the District; 1. INTRODUCTION • Classifying areas that require protection and 1.2.1. SDF AMENDMENT PROCESS conservation (i.e. protected areas), which 1.1. PURPOSE OF THE REPORT include threatened ecosystems, critical The procedure to amend a Spatial Development biodiversity areas, valuable agricultural land, Framework is set out in the Municipal Systems Act, The purpose of this report is to update and synthesize water catchment areas and other resources of 2000 (Act 32 of 2000), the Spatial Planning and Land the 2014 Central Karoo SDF, with a view to: value within the District; Use Management Act, 2013 (Act 16 of 2013) and the • Resolving contradictions between the planning Western Cape Land Use Planning Act, 2014 (Act 3 of 1) Establish the existing level of development of visions of the District’s local municipalities; 2015). the Central Karoo District Municipality; • Describing the general urban design principles to 2) Review and update the key issues and be applied in all settlements located in the District In short, the process entails the following: opportunities in the District as they relate to its Critically, the District SDF must guide local future spatial development; municipalities in the development of their own SDF’s, 1) The municipality decides whether or not to 3) Review and update the spatial vision of the without impeding on local-level planning detail. The establish an Intergovernmental Steering th municipality, to bring it in line with the 4 District sets the framework and context for local Committee; generation 2017/18 Central Karoo IDP; and municipalities to work within. It is also critical that the 2) Members of Council to be given reasonable 4) Review and update the Spatial Development District aligns to the Provincial and National planning notice of the amendment; Framework proposals. and policy context. It is therefore clear that the District 3) The proposal to amend must be published in the media in at least 2 official languages; It should be noted that this SDF is not an entirely new must operate within fairly well defined (at the 4) The municipality must inform the provincial SDF for the Central Karoo, but simply seeks to update conceptual level) policy and planning context and minster in writing of their intent to amend the and synthesize the SDF that was developed for the therefore is constrained to this insofar as possible SDF; Central Karoo in 2014. proposals that can be made. The SDF must both guide 5) Municipality must establish a project and be guided by municipal sector plans, as committee; The Central Karoo District SDF will mainly focus on the illustrated in Figure 1.1 below. 6) If an ISC is established, then provincial and following: other departments must be invited to sit on it

and provide input on the SDF amendment; • Identifying the structure and role of settlement, 7) Once available, the draft SDF amendment transportation, and regional services Figure 1.1: The must be made available for public comment infrastructure across and between the local relationship for a period of 60 days. municipalities within the District area; between the SDF, 8) The Project Committee must consider all • Classifying areas that require protection and and sector plans conservation (i.e. protected areas), which comments received and compile a final SDF for council adoption; include threatened ecosystems, critical biodiversity areas, valuable agricultural land, 9) SDF amendment is presented to council for approval or further amendment; water catchment areas and other resources of value within the District; 10) Once adopted, a notice of adoption must be placed in Provincial Gazette within 14 days; 1

11) The amended SDF submitted to provincial minister within 10 days of Council approval;

1.2.2. METHODOLOGY

The broad method to be followed in the amendment of the SDF is set out below.

The methodology follows a clear logic:

1) First, determine the rationale for the amending the current SDF which will inform the development of a problem statement; 2) Second, determine what the policy and legislative context is within which the SDF must be developed, while being cognisant of the fact that one doesn’t operate in a policy vacuum; 3) Third, undertake a status quo assessment or ‘state of development’ of the district in terms of its natural environment, socio-economic development and built environment and identify the key issues and opportunities in the district; 4) Fourth, the spatial vision and concept will be assessed for its continued relevance, or if it needs to be revised, which will be the overarching framework that guides all subsequent policy interventions; 5) Finally, the spatial policy proposals, key directive and key protective actions will be identified for the district. These actions may either entail reaffirming those of the 2014 SDF, or devising entirely new proposals. Such actions will form the basis of an implementation plan.

Figure 1.2 illustrates broadly the process and products that will be developed in this SDF amendment.

Figure 1.2: The methodology in undertaking the SDF amendment – identifying both the process to be followed and the product to be developed

1.2.3. PUBLIC ENGAGEMENTS

This is an SDF amendment process based on the 2014 Central Karoo SDF. It is envisaged that once this SDF amendment is in a draft format, a 60-day public participation process will begin. During this time, public comments and representations can be made pertaining to the content in the draft document.

1.3. STRUCTURE OF THIS REPORT

Chapter 1 of the SDF provides the introduction, and sets the purpose of the SDF, the process to be followed, the method used and provides a high-level problem statement that sets out why the SDF amendment is required. Chapter 2 of the SDF sets out the policy and legislative context – giving the primary policy informants to the SDF, which sets the scene for the direction of the SDF. Chapter 3 provides the existing level of development or status quo of the municipality – looking at the state of the ecological, socio-economic and built environment assets of the municipality, as well as drawing out the key issues. Chapter 4 sets out the Spatial Proposals for the Central Karoo, including a spatial vision, objectives, principles and strategies for implementation. Chapter 5 sets out the Implementation Framework, clearly articulating policies, guidelines and Capital Investment Framework required for the implementation of the SDF, as well as the institutional arrangements for implementation.

1.4. PROBLEM STATEMENT

The Central Karoo District Municipality seeks to update and amend its 2014 Spatial Development Framework in order to bring it in line with the 2017/18 4th Generation Integrated Development Plan, as well as to update to include the latest intelligence as it relates to the region. Since the SDF was approved in 2014, there have been changes to the policy landscape which impacts upon the viability of the SDF. In addition, new data has shed light on changing economic and social conditions in the region, which necessitates the need for the SDF to be amended to address these. Some of the key changes relate to:

• Updated Critical Biodiversity Area information and Biodiversity Spatial Plans; • New population growth figures, economic data, and service level data; and • An evolving policy position on shale gas extraction;

1.5. BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE CENTRAL KAROO DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY

The Central Karoo District Municipality (CKDM) is one of five Category C District municipalities in the Western Cape Province. The N1 (National road) and main railway cuts through the District in a northeast – Figure 1.3: A Locality map of the Central Karoo Rainfall generally falls predominantly from thunder southwest direction, connecting it to Cape Town storms that occur in late summer (peaking in March), (300km south west of the District) and Johannesburg Albert (also the names of the 3 local municipalities with the mountainous areas in the far north east (1000km north east of the district). Refer to the figure within the district). receiving the most rains. Summer days can be brutally 1.3 which provides a locality map of the district. hot, with day-time peaks occasionally reaching 40 The Central Karoo is a low rainfall desert region, degrees Celsius, although early summer mornings are The CKDM covers a total area of 38 852km², making it located on South Africa’s central high-plateau and in often cool and pleasant. Winter days are mild and the largest district municipality in the province. It the rain shadow of the Cape Fold mountains. It is warm, with the nights and mornings being cold – often stretches approximately 400km from its furthest south classified as a cold desert climate (BWk) in terms of the experiencing frost. The Central Karoo is known for its east point to its furthest north west point, and includes Koppen climate classification. This means that a dry fresh air, wide open cloudless skies and spectacular the towns of Beaufort West, Laingsburg and Prince climate prevails, with generally low relative humidity. night time sky, showcasing a night sky that is often 4 seen anew by visitors due to its superb clarity and • To plan for the development of the District expanse. The area’s ecosystem is xerophytic in nature. Municipality as a whole; That is, the habitat is particularly drought-hardy; and • Supply of bulk water, sewer and electricity the ecosystem is mostly composed of flora and fauna provision for a large portion of the local from the Nama-Karoo biome, with some Succulent municipalities within the District; Karoo and Fynbos. • Provide for waste disposal sites for the District; • Regulate passenger transport services for the The CKDM is surrounded by the Eden District District; Municipality to the south (Western Cape), the • Municipal Health Services provision for the District; Cacadu District Municipality to the east (Eastern • Firefighting Services for the District; Cape), the Pixley-ka-Seme District Municipality in the • Control of cemeteries within the District; north and the Namakwa District Municipality in the • Control of the fresh produce markets and north-west (Northern Cape). abattoirs in the District; • Promoting local tourism for the District; and As per the 2016 Community Survey, the population of • Municipal Public Works services for the District the Central Karoo stands at some 74 247 people living area. in 21 980 households, making it extremely low density and sparsely populated. 8.5% of these households recorded as having no income in 2016, with the teenage pregnancy rate standing at 13.3%, indicating a high poverty level in the region. The average GDP growth rate between 2005 and 2015 was 3.4%, with a much more muted growth rate after 2015, reflecting the national average which was also depressed. Employment growth, however, has been much lower at an annual average growth rate of 1% per annum between 2005 and 2015, which unfortunately has not kept up with the population growth rate during the same period. The 3 largest economic sectors in the region are commercial services (42.3% of the economy), government, community, social and personal services (29.7%) and agriculture, forestry and fishing (16.8%).

The main functions of a District Municipality as prescribed in the Constitution include:

CHAPTER 2: POLICY AND LEGISLATIVE CONTEXT

• Invest in economic infrastructure, such as housing and job creation. The goal of the IUDF is to electricity, water, public transport and create efficient urban spaces by reducing the travel 2 POLICY AND LEGISLATIVE CONTEXT broadband networks. costs and improving public transport, aligning land • Enhance environmental sustainability and use and transport planning, increasing densities, and The purpose of this chapter is to briefly provide a resilience. promoting mixed land uses so that people and live summary of the policy and legislative landscape that • Develop an inclusive rural economy through agro and work in the same places and spaces. has a bearing on the Spatial Development Framework processing and agriculture, tenure security, land for the Central Karoo. The chapter will seek to reform. crystalize the key informants from each policy or piece • Increase trade within Southern Africa. of legislation and provide clear direction for the SDF • Transform our human settlements, by co-locating proposals. places of work and human settlements, densifying our settlements and improving public transport. The intention of this chapter is not, however, to Improve education, training and innovation at all provide either an exhaustive list of relevant legislation • levels of the education system. and policy, or to comprehensively summarise the • Improve the health outcomes of the country. abovementioned, but to tease out the key policy and • Enhance and ensure social protection and build legislation drivers that impact the SDF. safer communities. • Build a capable state. 2.1 RELEVANT NATIONAL POLICY AND LEGISLATION • Fight corruption. • Promote nation building. 2.1.1 THE NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2030 While the NDP is an extensive plan with a significant The National Development Plan, 2030, is the supreme amount of detail, SDFs are envisioned to be local tools Figure 2.1: The Vision, Strategic Goals and Levers in the and overarching plan for South Africa that sets out the through which the NDP should be implemented. Integrated Urban Development Framework (COGTA, most crucial objectives and actions that need to be 2016) undertaken in the Republic of South Africa in order to 2.1.2 INTEGRATED URBAN DEVELOPMENT eliminate poverty and reduce inequality by 2030. FRAMEWORK (IUDF) It should be noted that the implementation of the IUDF is dependent on several critical dependencies, such The following sets out some of the key interventions The IUDF’s core objective is spatial transformation, as a competent and capacitated administration, that the NDP seeks to achieve: drawing its mandate from the NDP and the realisation integrated planning, integrated budgeting, and • Significantly reduce unemployment and increase that urbanisation is an increasing challenge, as well as integrated implementation between all spheres of the size of the economy through a range of an opportunity for South Africa. The IUDF essentially government and political and administrative will. The actions. proposes a growth model for urban areas in South IUDF itself recognises these dependencies. African that promotes compaction, connectedness, and coordinated growth in respect to land, transport, 6

functional public transport system and space Good Administration in the context of land use economy. A spatially sustainable settlement will be planning refers to the promotion of integrated, 2.1.3 THE SPATIAL PLANNING AND LAND USE one which has an equitable land market; while consultative planning practices in which all spheres of MANAGEMENT ACT, 2013 (ACT 16 OF 2013) ensuring the protection of valuable agricultural land, government and other role-players ensure a joint environmentally sensitive and biodiversity rich areas, planning approach is pursued. Furthermore, it is as well as scenic and cultural landscapes. A core critical that decisions made in terms of land use SPLUMA establishes a process to develop an SDF, as component of spatial sustainability ultimately seeks to planning seek to minimise the negative financial, well as the minimum content requirements of an SDF. limit urban sprawl. social, economic and environmental impacts of a An SDF must achieve the following: development. Furthermore, ‘good administration’ in • Create, and be informed by, a longer term spatial Efficiency refers to the need to create and restructure the context of land use planning, refers to a system vision; our settlements in order to optimise the use of space, which is efficient, well run, and where the timeframe • Guide the planning of all spheres of government; energy, infrastructure, resources and land. Inherent in requirements are adhered to. • Identify risks associated with particular this statement is the need to promote densification Key message: spatial planning is a normative (value developments; and urban (as opposed to suburban) development driven) process that must be underpinned by these 5 • Identify and quantify engineering infrastructure typologies either in new build or retro-fitting exercises, principles and seek to jointly guide all actors in space. needed for future growth; and gradually over time. Efficiency also has to do with the • Provide the spatial expression of the coordination, manner in which the settlement itself is designed and

alignment and integration of all sector plans. functions; which ought to reduce the need to travel long distances to access services, facilities and 2.1.4 MUNICIPAL SYSTEMS ACT, 2000 (ACT 32 OF SPLUMA also includes a set of 5 development opportunities. Efficiency also refers to decision-making 2000) principles which must guide the preparation, procedures which should be designed to minimise adoption and implementation of any SDF, policy negative financial, social, economic or environmental Section 24 of the MSA notes that planning undertaken and/or by-law concerning spatial planning and the impacts. by a municipality must be aligned with, and development or use of land. These principles are set complement, the development plans and strategies out below: Spatial Resilience in the context of land use planning of other affected municipalities and organs of state to refers to the need to promote the development of give effect to the principles of co-operative Spatial Justice refers to the need to redress the past sustainable livelihoods for the poor (i.e. communities governance contained in Section 41 of the apartheid spatial development imbalances and aim that are most likely to suffer the impacts of economic Constitution. It further notes that municipalities must for equity in the provision of access to opportunities, and environmental shocks). The spatial plans, policies participate in national and provincial development facilities, services and land. In the broadest sense, it and land use management systems should enable the programmes as required in section 153(b) of the seeks to promote the integration of communities and communities to be able to resist, absorb and Constitution, and it requires municipal planning to the creation of settlements that allow the poor to accommodate shocks and to recover from these reflect this as well. access opportunities. shocks in a timely and efficient manner. This includes

the preservation and restoration of essential basic Key message: Planning must be joint, integrated and Spatial Sustainability essentially refers to a sustainable infrastructure and functions, and also long-term aligned and express all spheres of government form of development. A part of this means promoting adaptation in order to ensure increased resilience in development plans and programmes within the less resource consumptive development typologies, terms of future shocks (United Nations Office for municipal space. compaction, pedestrianisation, and mixed-use urban Disaster Risk Reduction, 2009). environments which allow for the development of a

The logic underpinning the PSDF’s spatial strategy is to: public transport routes to maximise the coverage of 2.1.5 THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT: MUNICIPAL these public investments, and respond to unique PLANNING AND PERFORMANCE Capitalise and build on the Western Cape’s regional identities within the Western Cape. MANAGEMENT REGULATIONS, 2001 (LG: comparative strengths (e.g. gateway status, MP&PM REGULATIONS) knowledge economy, lifestyle offering) and leverage The PSDF includes four spatial themes namely; the sustainable use of its unique spatial assets; Chapter 2 of the LG:MP&PM regulations, published in Resources, Space Economy, Settlement and Spatial terms of the Municipal Systems Act, 2000 (Act 32 of Consolidate existing and emerging regional Governance. The first three themes, which have a 2000), provides some detail as to what SDFs should economic nodes as they offer the best prospects to spatial component, resulted in the development of 13 seek to achieve. Most importantly, SDFs must set out generate jobs and stimulate innovation; spatial policies. The fourth theme, spatial governance, the desired spatial form on the municipality, contain Connect urban and rural markets and consumers, explored the governance structure required in order strategies and policies of how these will be met, and fragmented settlements and critical biodiversity areas to implement the PSDF. set out basic guidelines for the land use management (i.e. freight logistics, public transport, broadband, The key spatial policies in respect of the Central Karoo system, amongst other things. It should be noted that priority climate change ecological corridors, etc.); are: SPLUMA provides greater detail to these requirements. and • POLICY R1: Protect biodiversity and ecosystem Cluster economic infrastructure and facilities along services.

2.1.6 IMPLICATIONS FOR THE CENTRAL KAROO MUNICIPALITY

National legislation and policy make it very clear that SDFs should seek to redress past imbalances, be transformational, whilst facilitating private sector development and confidence. The implication is that Central Karoo Municipality must endeavour to create more resilient, integrated and dense urban settlements that provide higher quality urban environments than is currently the case and that provide healthy, happy and inspiring environments in which people, the economy and the natural environment can flourish.

2.2 RELEVANT PROVINCIAL POLICY AND LEGISLATION

2.2.1 THE WESTERN CAPE PROVINCIAL SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Figure 2.2: The PSDF Composite Map

• POLICY R2: Safeguard inland and coastal water The PSDF composite map (see Figure 2.2) graphically resources, and manage the sustainable use of portrays the Western Cape’s spatial agenda. In line Minister Madikizela, the Minister of the Department of water. with the provincial spatial policies, the map shows Human Settlements in the Western Cape, emphasized what land use activities are suitable in different the following three strategic objectives during his • POLICY R3: Safeguard the Western Cape’s landscapes and highlights where efforts should be engagement with local municipalities in January & agricultural and mineral resources, and manage focused to grow the provincial economy. February 2017, namely seeking to: their sustainable and productive use. 1. Accelerate the provision of housing opportunities • POLICY R4: Recycle and recover waste, deliver within the Affordable Housing Market (GAP clean sources of energy to urban households, shift 2.2.2 THE WESTERN CAPE LAND USE PLANNING ACT, Market); from private to public transport, and adapt to and 2014 (ACT NO. 3 OF 2014) 2. Accelerate the upgrading of informal mitigate against climate change. settlements, including the provision of basic The Western Cape Land Use Planning Act, 2014 (Act 3 interim services to ensure adequate living • POLICY R5: Protect and manage provincial of 2014) echoes much of what SPLUMA seeks to conditions for all residents in the Western Cape; landscape and scenic assets. achieve from a spatial planning perspective, adding and some detail in terms of the process that may be used 3. Ensure that the most deserving individuals are • POLICY E1: Use regional infrastructure investment to develop a Spatial Development Framework, prioritized when providing housing opportunities. to leverage economic growth. content requirements of SDFs, as well as setting out the functions of municipalities and provincial • POLICY E2: Diversify and strengthen the rural government. economy. 2.3 DISTRICT PLANNING INFORMANTS In brief, LUPA allows municipalities to follow 2 different • POLICY E3: Revitalise and strengthen urban processes in developing SDF’s – one with an The purpose of this section is to ascertain and set out space-economies as the engine of growth. Intergovernmental Steering Committee and one the planning informants that exist in the District without. The Central Karoo has decided to establish Municipality as it relates to spatial planning and land • POLICY S1: Protect, manage and enhance the an Intergovernmental Steering Committee. use management. provincial sense of place, heritage and cultural landscapes. 2.3.1 THE CENTRAL KAROO SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK, 2014 (CK SDF) • POLICY S2: Improve provincial, inter- and intra- 2.2.3 THE WESTERN CAPE HUMAN SETTLEMENTS regional accessibility. FRAMEWORK (2017) As has been stated previously, the 2014 Central Karoo SDF forms the basis upon which this review and • POLICY S3: Ensure compact, balanced and The Living Cape Framework aims to support a amendment takes place. The intention is to gauge the strategically aligned activities and land uses. departure from the current housing delivery model. continued relevance of the 2014 document, as well as The focus of the Framework is explicitly on improving • POLICY S4: Ensure balanced and coordinated update the intelligence, information, and policies in the quantity and quality of human settlements, where delivery of facilities and social services. the SDF. Similarly, this amendment process will these settlements are understood as holistic spaces synthesize the old SDF into a more useful and shorter • POLICY S5: Ensure sustainable, integrated and comprising of land, housing, social, economic and format. inclusive housing planning and implementation. networked infrastructure, and communities (DHS, 2017).

Therefore, the existing Central Karoo Status Quo 2.3.3 THE CENTRAL KAROO RURAL DEVELOPMENT • The Gini-coefficient for the Central Karoo, which reports and policy proposals will be put to use as the PLAN measures degree of income inequality, appears basis for this SDF moving forward. to show a slow trend of increasing income The revised Central Karoo District Rural Development inequality from a low of 0.55 in 2010 to 0.575 in 2.3.2 THE 2017 - 2022 CENTRAL KAROO INTEGRATED Plan includes the integration of the Agri-Park Initiative 2016. This means that the region is becoming DEVELOPMENT PLAN (IDP) and accompanying Department of Rural more unequal, even though it has the lowest Development and Land Reform projects into Local levels of income inequality in the Province. The vision of the Central Karoo is that of Working Municipal IDPs and SDFs. It also aims to assist Together in Development and Growth in order to municipalities and other sector departments to invest • Despite the above, the Human Development ensure that the Central Karoo becomes a place in a coordinated manner in order to enable the Index has shown a positive increase from 0.60 in where economic growth, social development and development and functioning of the Central Karoo 2010 to 0.68 in 2016, which is a positive sign of sustainability is achieved whilst maintaining the rural District Agri-Park. Detail of this is provided in chapter 3. improved human development conditions in the character, as well as embracing and developing the region. This therefore reflects that while asset and diversity of the communities. income inequality is worsening, access to basic services is improving. There are 7 strategic objectives articulated in the IDP, 2.3.4 THE MUNICIPAL ECONOMIC REVIEW AND relating to: OUTLOOK (MERO) • Economic growth has slowed considerably in the 1. Facilitating good governance principles, and The Municipal Economic Review and Outlook (MERO) last 5 years, to an average GDPR of 2.1% per effective stakeholder participation; is an annual research publication produced by the annum. 2016 was a particularly bad year with 2. Building a well capacitated workforce, skilled Provincial Treasury of the Western Cape Government. GDPR contracting in that year by 1.2%. This was youth and communities; The first edition of the MERO was published in 2012. It is attributable to the drought, political and policy 3. Improve and maintain district roads and promote aimed at informing policymakers at municipalities on uncertainty at the national level, and a volatile safe road transport; key economic issues that affect policy, planning and Rand. It is anticipated that 2017 and 2018 will 4. Prevent and minimize the impact of possible budgeting. register, at best, muted growth if national trends disasters and improve public safety; are indicative of the regional trend. 5. Promote safe, healthy and socially stable The following points will set out key information as communities through the provision of a abstracted from the Municipal Economic Review and • Agriculture is far more significant in the Central sustainable environmental health service; Outlook as it pertains to the Central Karoo: Karoo as a proportion of the economy, than what 6. Promote regional economic development, it is in the rest of Western Cape. tourism and growth opportunities; and • In terms of the spatial distribution of provincial 7. Deliver a sound and effective administrative and infrastructure spend, the Central Karoo received 2.3.5 CENTRAL KAROO SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROFILE financial service to achieve sustainability and a total investment of R128.1 million in 2017/18, (2016) viability in the region. which represents 1% of the total infrastructure spend in the Province. This is broadly reflective of The following are some of the key highlights from the Overall, the IDP represents the 5-year plan for the the population of the Central Karoo which makes Socio-Economic Profile for the Central Karoo. development of the municipal area. up 1.18% of the total population of the Western • In 2018, the population was predicted to be 75 Cape. 688 with 22 460 households, meaning an average

of 3.37 persons per household. This indicates a

trend of decreasing numbers of people per household when compared to 2011 (population: 71 011; households: 19 220; ppl/household: 3.69); 2001 (pop: 60482, hh: 15 508; ppl/hh: 3.9); and 1996 (pop: 55776; hh: 12 971, ppl/hh: 4.3);

• The matric pass rate in 2015 was at 88.6%;

• The Central Karoo’s GDPR was R1.98 billion at the

end of 2015, which made up 0.5% of the Western Cape economy of R391.6 billion. Of this, the Figure 2.4: The GDP and Employment provided in the Figure 2.6: The GDP and Employment provided in the primary sector contributed R333.45 million (or Manufacturing part of the Secondary Sector (Central Commercial Services part of the Tertiary Sector 16.8%), the secondary sector made up R145.96 Karoo LG SEP, 2016) (Central Karoo LG SEP, 2016) million (8%) and the tertiary sector contributed R1 426.97 million (72%). The figures below illustrate the absolute contribution of each sector to the economy, together with growth trends and the employment numbers that each sector

contributes.

Figure 2.7: The GDP and Employment provided in the Government, Community, Social and Personal Figure 2.3: The GDP and Employment provided in the Figure 2.5: The GDP and Employment provided in the Services part of the Tertiary Sector (Central Karoo LG Primary Sector (Central Karoo LG SEP, 2016) Construction part of the Secondary Sector (Central SEP, 2016) Karoo LG SEP, 2016)

• In GDPR terms, largest 3 sectors of the economy 74.8% compared to 88.8% for the entire Western o Klaarstroom Town: 121 were commercial services (42.3%), government, Cape, whilst the child malnutrition rate is 10.9% community and social services (29.7%) and compared to 2.4% for the Western Cape. Births to agriculture (16.8%). teenage mothers is 13.3%, compared to 5.5% for

the Western Cape. • Despite a 10-year average GDPR growth rate of 3.4% per annum between 2005 and 2015, the • Access to basic services, such as piped water employment growth rate was only 1% per annum within 200m of a household, electricity, sanitation during this period. This points to ‘jobless growth’ in and refuse removal all registered significant the region which is evident in the increased increases between 2011 and 2016. This reflects in inequality. Poverty headcount has subsequently the improved Human Development Index for the increased in the Central Karoo from 2.4% to 3.1% region. Formal housing made up 97.8% of all whilst poverty intensity has increased from 40.6% housing stock in the region in 2016, which is far to 41.1% between 2011 and 2016, despite these above the national and provincial levels. metrics being on the decline in the Western Cape during the same period. • In terms of safety and security, between 2015 and 2016, the murder rate experienced a significant • In employment terms, the largest employer in the (46.8%) increase from 36 to 53 murders per district was commercial services (6731 people); 100 000; sexual offences increased by 16.4%; drug government, social and personal services (5918 related crime increased by 1.6%; driving under the people employed); and agriculture (4205 influence decreased by 8.1%; and residential people). burglaries increased by 3.4%. These increases indicate a District in social distress, possibly • In 2016, 62.9% of households were classified as low caused in part by increasing unemployment, poor income households (earning below R50 613 per education outcomes and poverty levels. annum), 29.5% are classified as middle income households (earning between R50 614 and • The following sets out the number of persons on R404 901 per annum), and 4.6% as high income the housing waiting list (as at May 2017): households (earning above R404 902 per annum). o Beaufort West Municipality: 5275 Indigent households increased in the Central o Beaufort West (town): 4125 Karoo between 2014 and 2015, despite the o Murraysburg: 746 Western Cape registering a decline during the o Nelspoort: 227 same period. o Merweville: 176 o Laingsburg Municipality: 548 • In terms of health facilities, the Central Karoo has o Laingsburg Town: 516 8 fixed clinics, 9 mobile or satellite clinics, 1 o Matjiesfontein: 32 community day centre, and 4 district hospitals o Prince Albert Municipality: 1364 and 1 regional hospital. Concerningly, the o Prince Albert Town: 956 immunisation rate in the Central Karoo is only o Leeu Gamka Town: 287 12

2.4 ADJACENT MUNICIPAL INFORMANTS

The purpose of this section is to the test horizontal alignment between the Central Karoo and all adjacent municipal SDF’s; primarily to check for areas of potential conflict, and to prevent contradictory spatial proposals.

Greater detail is provided in the subsections that follow, however it can be seen that the Central Karoo is surrounded by 5 other district municipalities – Namakwa to the north-west, Pixley ka Seme to the north east, Sarah Baartman to the east, Eden to the south and Cape Winelands to the west.

The expansive area covered by these adjacent municipalities varies from temperate forests and well-watered verdant landscapes in the south, to dramatic mountain-covered fynbos areas and vineyards in the west to desert and semi-desert arid flatlands in the north and Albany thicket type landscape and vegetation to the east.

Whilst no major areas of conflict are identifiable at this scale, it should be noted that an initiative is underway – under the leadership of SALGA and the Karoo Development Foundation – in which the Figure 2.8: Adjacent Municipal Planning informants karoo towns have come together to develop a Small Towns Regeneration and Regional Economic Development Strategy. This regional initiative seeks to bring together places of similar challenge and opportunity to collectively create a more prosperous future in these fragile yet unique places.

2.4.1 NAMAKWA DISTRICT SDF (NORTH WEST) 2.4.2 PIXLEY KA SEME DISTRICT SDF (NORTH EAST) 2.4.3 SARAH BAARTMAN DISTRICT SDF (EAST)

The Namakwa District is located to the north-west of Pixley District, as it is known, is located north of Central The Sarah Baartman District is located to the east of Central Karoo District in the Northern Cape Province. Karoo in the Northern Cape Province. The N1 national the Central Karoo in the Eastern Cape Province. Key The districts share two main road connections; highway, connecting Cape Town and Johannesburg, transport routes linking the two districts are the R63 namely, the R354 between Matjiesfontein and is the most prominent shared feature between the two between Murraysburg and Graaff-Reinet, and the R61 Sutherland, and the R353 between Leeu Gamka and Districts as well as the N12 which branches off to between Beaufort West and Aberdeen. These routes Fraserburg. Kimberly. The districts also share a number of smaller experience extremely high traffic over the holiday road connections including the R381 between periods when people travel between the Western and Regarding alignment issues, Namakwa has Beaufort West and Loxton; and the R63 between Eastern Cape Provinces. earmarked much of the land which forms the border Victoria West and Murraysburg. of the two municipalities as a critical biodiversity area The only major alignment issues identified include the (i.e. non-statutory conservation areas). Therefore, the Regarding alignment issues, the Pixley District has desire to conserve critical biodiversity areas in the municipality seeks to encourage private land-owners identified a series of critical biodiversity areas along northern parts of the Sarah Baartman District in the to protect, conserve, and rehabilitate land back to a the municipal border; particularly in the vicinity of, and vicinity of Nieu-Bethesda and the R63 corridors. natural condition where possible. Furthermore, to the east of the R381 near Loxton. In addition, the Likewise, the Sarah Baartman District has earmarked Central Karoo District will need to be cognisant that Pixley District recognises the national roads as a land north of Aberdeen, and north of Graaff-Reinet for Namakwa has identified two sites on the border for strategic asset. The most recent Pixley District SDF the purposes of shale gas extraction. These critical renewable wind energy projects, there are five highlights a desire to encourage the development of biodiversity areas and shale gas extraction areas existing mines on the District border, and the Square economic activity along the national roads (i.e. the border the Central Karoo District and may have Kilometre Array (SKA) project crosses into the Central N12 and N1) through the use of a ‘development implications for land use along the borderlands. Karoo District area. These projects and land uses will corridor’ approach. Nevertheless, development impact on types of developments that Central Karoo should be done in a responsible manner as to not District may consider in that area. impact regional mobility.

Figure 2.11: The Sarah Baartman District SDF

Figure 2.9: The Namakwa District SDF Figure 2.10: The Pixley District SDF

2.4.4 EDEN DM SDF (SOUTH)

Located to the South of the Central Karoo, this is the most economically vibrant municipality that is in the closest proximity to the major towns of the Central Karoo. They create many opportunities for the Central Karoo which must be explored relating to tourism.

The Swartberg mountain range forms the border between Eden and Central Karoo. Most of the land along the border is statutorily protected as nature reserves or mountain catchment areas. This will have an impact on development opportunities along the borderlands. Key transportation routes between the two municipalities include the Swartberg Pass between Oudtshoorn and Prince Albert (the R328), as well as the Meiringspoort Pass (N12) between De Rust and Klaarstroom, continuing on to Beaufort West. The two municipalities also share the lesser-travelled, but historically significant, Seweweeks Poort route (R323) which traverses between Laingsburg and Ladismith. The key message here is that there are a number of scenic passes and poorts the two municipalities share which could be better-leveraged for tourism purposes. Figure 2.12: The Eden District SDF

The Eden District has notionally indicated through its SDF that it wishes to upgrade the N12 corridor 2.4.5 CAPE WINELANDS DISTRICT SDF (WEST) between De Rust and Klaarstroom to promote better connectivity with the interior. And the District wants to To the west, the Central Karoo is connected to the create an additional route to better connect Cape Winelands District via the N1. This is the arid, Laingsburg (and the N1) with the Klein Karoo, and sparsely populated part of the Cape Winelands, with onwards to Riversdale and Stilbaai. However, these the closest town to the western border of the Central projects are not carried through to the SDF’s Karoo being Touwsriver, in the Cape Winelands. Most implementation tables, and it is not clear if the District of the land along the municipal border is currently intends to proceed with these projects. being used for agriculture purposes. Currently, there are no apparent alignment issues between the two Districts. 15

2.5 LOCAL MUNICIPAL PLANNING INFORMANTS • SO 7- To enhance participatory democracy 2) Sustainable Economic Growth by leveraging competitive advantages of the region; The following section briefly sets out the key informants The above are critical informants to the SDF review for 3) A Well run Administration that is efficient, effective from the IDP of the three local municipalities within the the municipality, as it assists in framing the spatial vision and has the right skills mix; Central Karoo. and priority action areas. 4) Ensure Financial Sustainability; and 5) Be a transparent organisation.

2.5.2 LAINGSBURG MUNICIPALITY IDP 2.5.1 PRINCE ALBERT MUNICIPALITY IDP The 2017-2022 IDP for Laingsburg clearly sets out the The 2017-2022 IDP for Prince Albert clearly sets out the vision for the 5-year period, being to create a vision for the 5-year period, being to create an area destination of choice where people come first. characterised by a high quality of living and service delivery. The municipality has six priorities as set out below. The Development strategy is to ensure a sustainable • Priority 1: Environmental & Spatial Development Prince Albert, where all sectors are aligned for the • Priority 2: Local Economic Development betterment and benefit of the municipal area as a • Priority 3: Basic Service Delivery whole. To create an enabling environment for the • Priority 4: Social and Community Development inhabitants of Prince Albert towards guaranteed job • Priority 5: Institutional Transformation opportunities and thus a better livelihood and citizen • Priority 6: Financial Viability satisfaction.

The municipality has also identified seven Strategic Objectives (SO), being: 2.5.3 BEAUFORT WEST IDP

The vision of the 2017 – 2022 IDP for Beaufort West is to • SO 1 - To promote sustainable integrated be the economic gateway in the Central Karoo, development through social and spatial where people are developed and live in harmony integration that eradicates the apartheid legacy. together. The mission further unpacks this, providing • SO 2 - To stimulate, strengthen and improve the directives regarding service delivery, growing the economy for sustainable growth. economy, staff, a well-run administration, ensuring • SO 3 - To improve the general standards of living financial sustainability, to be a safe place and to • SO 4 - To provide quality, affordable and reduce poverty by focusing on sports and recreation. sustainable services on an equitable basis; • SO 5: To maintain financial viability & sustainability The five priority areas are: through prudent expenditure, and sound financial systems. 1) Service to the people – seeking to improve and • SO 6 - To commit to the continued improvement maintain basic service delivery through of human skills and resources to deliver effective infrastructure development; services. 6

2.5.4 THE LOCAL MUNICIPAL SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORKS OF BEAUOFRT WEST, PRINCE ALBERT AND LAINGSBURG

A composite of all 3 local municipal SDF’s is shown in Figure 2.12 below, which illustrates the following:

• The need for continuity in the ‘green network’ of ecological corridors is important at the landscape scale;

• Mountain passes and scenic routes contribute to the competitive advantage of the region;

• Riverine corridors contribute to ecological and biodiversity connectivity to core critical biodiversity areas;

• The critical importance of the N1 highway to connect the region to the rest of South Africa and other regional connector roads, such as the N12 connecting the region to the Southern Cape; and

• The need to ensure that the carrying capacity of the land is respected in agricultural grazing practices in order to prevent degradation of the land and potential desertification.

Figure 2.13: A composite map of all 3 local municipal SDF’s in the Central karoo

CHAPTER 3: STATUS QUO ASSESSMENT: CURRENT STATE OF THE MUNICIPALITY

Laingsburg in the west to Willowmore and Uniondale many impressive sand stone strata and rock in the east. The highest peak within the range is the formations. 3 STATUS QUO ASSESSMENT – CURRENT STATE OF THE Seweweekspoort at 2,325 m above mean annual sea MUNICIPALITY level (amasl). This range of mountains comprises The Nuweveld Mountain range to the north of predominantly of the Table Mountain group, boasting Beaufort West ranges between 825 to 1,911 m. The purpose of this chapter is to give a brief overview Toorberg to the south of Murraysburg forms part of the of the existing state of development of the Central Karoo District Municipality. This section provides an overview of the key biophysical, natural, socio- economic and built environment sectors, their individual strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and constraints. Following this, a synthesis will be undertaken, identifying the key issues that arise to be taken forward in the Spatial Development Framework.

3.1 THE BIO-PHYSICAL AND NATURAL ENVIRONMENT ASSESSMENT

The natural environment is the realm within which and the basis upon which all plant, animal and human life systems operate, including society, the economy and agriculture. In order to live sustainably, the natural environment should never be compromised to the point where its natural systems and services are unable to provide its ecological systems and services to both existing and future generations or people.

3.1.1 GEOLOGY, TOPOGRAPHY, LANDSCAPE CHARACTER & SCENIC ASSETS

The majority of the district consists of gently undulating plains, however, several mountain ranges provide for a dramatic contrast as illustrated on Figure 3.1a showing the Swartberg mountain range in the south of the district, providing a natural barrier between the interior and the southern Cape coast. This range, one of the longest in South Africa, spans 230 km form Figure 3.1a : Elevation and Landscape Features Map of Central Karoo District Municipality 18

Sneeuberg range which is the divide between the Central Karoo District and the Eastern Cape. The peak is 2,400 metres above sea level. Toorberg is known for its many watercourses.

Figure 3.1b, showing the key geological formations of the Karoo, highlights 3 broad geological regions – a southern mountain region made up of the Dwyke, Witteberg, Bokkeveld and Table Mountain Group, a central region dominated by the Adelaide Group and a northern portion where Karoo Dolomite outcrops create the Sneeuberg mountain range.

It should be noted that the region can be classified into broad scenic assets or places of significant landscape character as shown in Figure 3.1c. As recognised by the Heritage and Scenic Resources Inventory and Policy Framework for the Western Cape (2013), the Central Karoo can be characterised into 4 broad landscape regions being: (1) the higher altitude ‘Nuweveld Plateau’; (2) the Nuweveld Mountain escarpment; (3) the lower altitude ‘Die Vlakte’ made up predominantly of Beaufort shales / Adelaide Group rock type; and (4) the Swartberg Mountains.

The view sheds on offer in the Karoo landscape reflects a silent, sparse and peaceful arid landscape. Figure 3.2b : Geological formations of the Central Karoo

Figure 3.3c : Cross-section depicting landscape character of the Central Karoo

Figure 3.4d : Landscape Character zones of the Central Karoo

Figure 3.5e: Soil types of the Central Karoo

3.1.2 CLIMATE & CLIMATE CHANGE Rainfall generally falls predominantly from thunder The semi desert conditions which prevail within the storms that occur in late summer (peaking in March), Central Karoo are a result of the harsh arid climate. The Central Karoo is a low rainfall desert region, with the mountainous areas in the far north east The average annual rainfall for the District is 260 mm located on South Africa’s central high-plateau and in receiving the most rains. Summer days can be brutally per annum. The highest rainfall occurs to the south the rain shadow of the Cape Fold Mountains. It is hot, with day-time peaks occasionally reaching 40 with the Groot Swartberg mountain range, on the classified as a cold desert climate (BWk) in terms of the degrees Celsius, although early summer mornings are north-eastern side of the municipality, which receives Koppen climate classification, which is the most often cool and pleasant. Winter days are mild and between 500 to 700 mm per annum. Despite this, widely used climate classification systems in the world, warm, with the nights and mornings being cold – often approximately 75% of the remaining region receives as can be seen from Figure 3.2. This means that a dry experiencing frost. less than 200 mm per annum. The majority of the rain climate prevails, with generally low relative humidity. falls during between November (late spring) and April (early autumn), peaking in the late summer months of February and March, as can be seen from Figure 3.2 below.

Climate change is expected to produce higher temperatures with possibly lower rainfall in the medium to long term, although there is a very low degree of certainty of the impacts of climate change on rainfall with some studies suggesting that parts of the Western Cape may receive greater rainfall (Western Cape Climate Change Response Framework, 2016), with concurrent higher levels of evpo-transpiration. Wind velocities are also expected to increase. These conditions will result in a reduction in Karoo vegetation with a potential increase in fires. Additionally, agriculture is expected to be negatively impacted with a decline in productivity and yield, resulting in a potential economic downturn in the region or the need to adopt far more drought-tolerant farming practices, plants species and approaches.

Figure 3.6 -Köppen-Geiger Climate Classification Map of Central Karoo District Municipality

3.1.3 WATER RESOURCES & HYDROLOGY Gamka River; the Floriskraal Dam, situated along the noted, however, that these dams are becoming less Buffels River near Laingsburg and serving the needs of reliable as secure water sources, and ground water Most of its rainfall occurs in the summer during the the Little Karoo; the Gamkapoort Dam situated at the and key aquifers are playing a greater role in the months of February to April. The dry climate and confluence of the Gamka and Dwyka Rivers west of water security of the region. See Figure 3.3a to erratic rainfall leads to surface run-off in the form of Prince Albert and serving local agricultural needs; the understand the spatial distribution of rainfall and flash floods which fill up the usually empty dams. Due Leeu-Gamka Dam situated along the Leeu River Figure 3.3b for a broad indication of ground water to the scarce precipitation and subsequent surface between Beaufort West and Laingsburg and serving resource potential. What can be observed is that the run-off, ground water sources are the primary source local agricultural needs; and the Oukloof Dam southern mountain areas and north-eastern mountain for the supply of potable water. The region is currently situated along the Cordiers River near Prince Albert areas receive the most rainfall, whilst the north-eastern (2017/18) experiencing a deep and prolonged and serving local agricultural needs. It should be mountain areas around Murraysburg, Nelspoort and drought of significantly below average rainfall and very low to empty dams, making ground water even more important in the region. The importance of episodic drainage lines and non-perennial streams as ecological infrastructure should not be underestimated in this regard. This ecological infrastructure provides significant ecosystem services by assisting in the conveyance of good quality water to various dams.

The Central Karoo District falls into 3 Water Management Areas – the Gouritz Water Management Area (WMA), which constitutes the greatest land area of the District; the Fish to Tsitsikamma WMA in the north-eastern portion of the district and extending to the Eastern Cape and the Lower Orange WMA, in a small northern portion of the District, extending into the expanse of the Northern Cape. The main rivers of the region, although mostly non-perennial in nature, are the Buffels and Geelbek Rivers, passing through Laingsburg, the Dwyka and Gamka River and the Sout River. Despite its arid conditions, there are many non-perennial rivers and tributaries that exist in the Central Karoo. Despite this, all aquatic habitats in the Central Karoo requires protection and suitable buffers to ensure their continued provision of ecosystem services.

Main dams in the Central Karoo are the Beaufort West Dam situated along the Kuils River and near to the Figure 3.3 a: Mean Annual Precipitation Map for Central Karoo District Municipality 23 northern Laingsburg have the highest ground water resource potential. Figure 3.4 shows the primary surface water resources in the region – illustrating the primacy of the Gamka River, as well as the 5 major dams for the region, 3 of which sit at the foot of the Swartburg Mountain area, and the remaining 2 in the town of Beaufort West and Leeu Gamka respectively. Of interest is that although Beaufort West is by far the largest municipality in terms of population it has one dam and it is the smallest of the 5. This illustrates the critical importance of ground water in this municipality.

Riparian ecosystems within the district, due to their proximity to water, have largely been transformed for agricultural related activities. Based on the National Protected Areas Expansion Strategy (NPAES) freshwater priorities, the district has 6399 km of major river reach, of which 1748 km can be considered critically endangered (27%) and 201 km (3%) endangered. Of the 249 sensitive wetlands identified, 107 comprise vlei type wetlands, 85 pans and 55 dam wetlands

Figure 3.3b : Ground Water Resource Potential of the Central Karoo

Figure 7.4 : Area Surface Water Map for Central Karoo District Municipality

3.1.4 AGRICULTURE

Broadly, there are three different agricultural practices occurring in the Central Karoo. The most widespread is livestock farming which is dominated by the sheep farmers (cattle and ostrich farming also occur in the district, but on a much smaller scale). The district has good grazing and adequate access to groundwater through the use of wind pumps. However, in order for these livestock farms to remain viable, they need to remain large enough to allow for a sustainable carrying capacity. Laingsburg and Price Albert have the highest grazing capacity.

The second agricultural practice is based on the rain- fed cultivation of wheat which has a very limited occurrence in the southwest of the district. The final agricultural practice is that of irrigated crops which are prominent in the southern regions of the district. Irrigated crops include apricot, olive, wine grapes, peach, pear, prune, quince, and table grapes. The main constraints to irrigated crop production in this region are attributable to poor road infrastructure for the transport of delicate and fresh produce, distance to the market, availability and quality of water supplies, and the reliability of labour.

Agriculture’s share of the District’s economy fell from 15.4% to 9% between 1999 and 2009. This may be as a result of both diversifications in the District’s economic activities, as well as deteriorating market conditions for agricultural products. Strengthening the District’s Figure 3.5 : Agricultural activities Map for Central Karoo District Municipality agricultural production, agri-processing, and agri- business opportunities remain a key focus for the region.

3.1.5 BIODIVERSITY AND BIODIVERSITY has been impacted through overgrazing practices additional 9 077 ha (0.23% of the district) under CONSERVATION (Quoted from WCBSP, 2018). conservation.

The Western Cape Biodiversity Spatial Plan (WCBSP) As recognised in the 2014 SDF, approximately 88% of was released in 2017 and provides updates spatial the land area of the Central Karoo is natural data for the Central Karoo. This is a critical informant vegetation, 10.4% is degraded and 1.5% is for the future development of the region, as it transformed completely by urbanisation, cultivation, illustrates Critical Biodiversity Areas (CBA) which are mining and dams. Protected areas within the district terrestrial features (e.g. threatened vegetation type comprise 207 917 ha (5.78% of the district), with an remnants) and aquatic features (e.g. vleis, rivers and estuaries), and the buffer areas along aquatic CBA features, whose safeguarding is critically required in order to meet biodiversity pattern and process thresholds. They are identified through a systematic biodiversity planning approach and represent the most land-efficient option to meeting all thresholds. The spatial tool is comprised of the Biodiversity Spatial Plan Map and contextual information and land use guidelines. The WCBSP recognises that the Central Karoo region could potentially contain important minerals (e.g. uranium) and fossil fuel (e.g. shale gas) resources which are currently under investigation and could result in high levels of transformation in an area that has to date had relatively low levels of transformation.

The Nama-Karoo Biome is the dominant biome of the region, making up roughly 70% of the landscape, the Succulent Karoo making up 13% in the Southern yet north-facing stretches of the region at the foot of the Swartberg Mountains and Fynbos making up 9% in the mountain regions of the district (see Figure 3.6 and Figure 3.7).

As stated in the Western Cape Biodiversity Spatial Planning handbook, the Nama Karoo is important for several threatened faunal species, such as the riverine rabbit (Bunolagus monticularis) which is restricted to riparian habitats in the Karoo. As with the Succulent Karoo, the Nama Karoo is too arid for cultivation but Figure 3.6 : Areas Biomes Map for Central Karoo District Municipality 27

Figure 3.7 : Biodiversity Planning Land Use Map for Central Karoo District Municipality (Western Cape Biodiversity Spatial Plan, 2017)

3.1.6 MINERAL RESOURCES substantial, there are also potential environmental trade-offs which must be fully understood in order to Central Karoo has mineral resources that have been be prevented or mitigated. The SEA makes several underutilised, up until now. There are three mines recommendations in respect to air quality, earth currently located in the district which are quakes, water resources, waste planning, ecological predominantly quarries used for local building impacts, agriculture, tourism, health, sense of place, materials. One quarry is located on the R354 north of noise and spatial implications. It should be noted that Matjiesfontein, one is adjacent to the R328 south of the impact is dependent on the scale at which shale Prince Albert, and one is located in the vicinity of the gas extraction takes place. Some of the key spatial intersection of the N1 and R63 (see Figure 3.8). impacts relate to:

However, the District is on the cusp of major change • Towns experiencing higher than expected growth in the mineral resources sector. Firstly, the Central in population of persons seeking economic Karoo has extensive uranium deposits which begin opportunities associated with shale gas. This north of Prince Albert and Laingsburg and reach their places greater service delivery demands of highest density north of the N1 in the vicinity of housing, water provision, social services, Merweville. These deposits have attracted the electricity and roads; attention of energy and mining conglomerates, but • Increased traffic volumes and the corresponding remain untouched. Currently, the area-south east of maintenance and rehabilitation needs for roads; Beaufort West is undergoing a process for receiving • Potential rail re-establishment and laying new prospecting rights. pipeline infrastructure for gas; • Higher demands on municipal planning capacity Secondly, the region also contains expanses of gas- to approve land use applications; rich shale which are currently being explored by • Groundwater contamination; and • Disturbing biodiversity, particularly CBA’s. energy companies. Exploration permits may soon be granted for blocks which begin at latitude 33-degrees south and extend northward into the Northern Cape, and eastward into the Eastern Cape. This impacts It should be noted that a spatial representation of risk Central Karoo in most areas north of Prince Albert and profiles has been undertaken for shale gas in the Laingsburg and the entire municipality of Beaufort karoo, we can be seen in Figure 3.8a. It should be Figure 3.8a – Composite risk of shale gas development West. The exact location of the most economically noted that it is desirable, should shale gas extraction (CSIR, 2016) recoverable shale gas fields remains an information occur, that the areas where it should take place gap, with a potential ‘sweet spot’ being identified should ideally be areas of low to moderate risk rather eastwards of the town of Beaufort West and than high risk. westwards of Murraysburg.

As recognised in the Strategic Environmental Assessment for Shale Gas in the Karoo (CSIR, 2016), whilst the potential economic and energy impact of medium to large scale shale gas extraction could be 29

Figure 3.8b : Mineral Resources Map for Central Karoo District Municipality 30

3.1.7 SWOT OF THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT OPPORTUNTIIES THREATS

STRENGTHS • Shale Gas exploration may present an • Shale gas extraction may impact, in ways that opportunity for the District municipality to may not be entirely mitigatable, the region’s • Central Karoo has large tracts of natural stimulate economic growth and job creation. scenic qualities, as well as threaten biodiversity vegetation, with excellent statutory protection of • A focus on the development of better transport and the quality of groundwater. mountain catchment areas. Mountain infrastructure, along with agri-processing and • Climate change – a hotter, drier future could catchment areas are important for water supply agri-businesses may also help stimulate economic impact on the liveability of the region. The Central and source protection which are protected under growth and job creation. Karoo is an area of high-range warming (Smart- the Mountain Catchment Areas Act (Act 63 of • The areas scenic and heritage assets, Agri climate change prediction). 1970). conservation areas, and farming areas can be • Natural disasters (e.g. drought, flash floods, veld • Very sparsely located, and relatively compact better leveraged to support tourism. fires). Veld in poor condition has low resilience to settlements. • There are various renewable energy projects droughts and floods. • Vast tracks of livestock range. which have already been approved but have yet • Lack of capacity at the local level to monitor land • Excellent scenic assets in the form of nature to be implemented. use and regulate the impact of human activities reserves, mountain passes, and heritage centres • Creation of climate change corridors, e.g. on the environment. which can be better leveraged for tourism. through protected area expansion resulting in • Farmers implementing inappropriate stocking upland-lowland links. rates on veld, which have low carrying capacity

• Improving agricultural potential through veld and are sensitive to overgrazing. rehabilitation and through the implementation of • Uranium mining could negatively impact WEAKNESSES sustainable agricultural practices. environmental health and human wellbeing. • The establishment of a municipal shared services • Cumulatively, renewable energy developments • Central Karoo’s arid nature impacts the growth centre to improve the municipal capacity and (especially solar PV and CSP) could have potential of towns, and the viability of agriculture reduce the amount of unregulated activities negative environmental impacts, e.g. by in the region. The District is very dependent on taking place which may negatively impact the reducing bat populations which control groundwater. environment agricultural insect pests. • Agriculture practices have modified area riparian Invasive alien plants affect water quantity habitats. • (including a reduction in groundwater recharge) • Long distances and poor transport infrastructure and quality. are impeding the movement of agriculture products to major centres. • Overgrazing has resulted in the degradation of large tracts of land and resulted in extensive soil erosion, with an associated decline in grazing potential and in water quality due to siltation.

3.2 SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONDITIONS

The purpose of this section is to provide an overview of the prevailing socio-economic conditions in the Central Karoo, drawing on the latest intelligence that exists.

3.2.1 DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE

Demographics is broadly defined as the study of population dynamics which is significantly influenced by a wide array of factors such as birth and death rates, migration patterns, age, race, gender and life expectancy. Demographics are a decisive factor in shaping our current socio-economic reality and is therefore critical when developing long term strategic plans.

According to Census 2011, the population of the Central Karoo was 71 011. Figure 3.9 below illustrates the spatial distribution of the Central Karoo’s residents. According to this survey, over 80% of the District’s residents are concentrated in urban areas including Beaufort West, Laingsburg, Prince Albert, Murraysburg, and the other small towns and hamlets. Central Karoo’s non-urban areas are sparsely populated.

According to the forecasts of the 2017 Socio- Economic Profile for the Central Karoo (WCG, 2017), the Central Karoo’s population is estimated to be 75 Figure 3.9 : Area Population Density Map for Central Karoo District Municipality 688 in 2018, compared to 71 011 in 2011. This a nationwide phenomenon and indicative of a represents an annual average growth rate of stabilising population figure (Central Karoo SEP-LG, approximately 0.91% per annum or 6.59% within this 7- 2018). year period, which is lower than the growth rate that the Central Karoo experienced between 2001 and Due to a predicted increase number of working age 2011 which was an annual average growth rate of people (15 – 65 years) between 2011 and 2023, and a 1.46%. The population of the Central Karoo is concurrent decrease in the number of children (0 – 14 expected to grow to 80 584 by 2025 and 84 335 by years), the dependency ratio is expected to 2030, assuming the annual average growth rate of significant decrease from 58.0 in 2011 to 49.2 in 2023, Figure 3.10 : Changes in the Dependency Ratio for the 0.91% persists. This trend of slowing growth rates is both as indicated in Figure 3.10, below. Central Karoo between 2011 and 2023 32

It is estimated that there are 21 980 households in the Central Karoo in 2018, meaning that there are, on average, 3.44 people per household, compared to 3.97 people per household in 2001. This means that household sizes are shrinking, and therefore despite the slowing population growth rate, the household growth rate may still be higher which has implications for land and space budgeting of municipalities.

The table below seeks to understand how the population of the Central Karoo is set to grow into the future, and correspondingly, how the number of households will increase and land requirements for these households will grow.

In summary, the population of the Central Karoo is anticipated to grow from 71 011 people and 20 643 households in 2011 to 84 335 people and 24 516 households in 2030, assuming an annual average growth rate of 0.9% which differs significantly between local municipalities. Prince Albert, for example, is set to grow at a rate that is three times that of Beaufort West’s (1.73% per annum for Prince Albert vs. 0.6% for Beaufort West between 2016 and 2030). It must be emphasized that the growth rates between 2011 and 2016 were extrapolated beyond 2016, accounting for this differentiated growth rate per local municipality.

Land required to accommodate this growth, assuming an average density of 25 dwelling units per hectare is a total of 117 hectares needed– 52 hectares for Beaufort West municipality, 45 hectares for Prince Albert municipality and 23 hectares for Laingsburg municipality. This is all indicated in the 3 adjacent tables showing population, household and land requirements growth projections up to 2030.

3.2.2 EDUCATION have library facilities. Figure 3.11 illustrates the location dropout rates are high in the Central Karoo – and number of educational facilities in the District. The specifically in Laingsburg where the dropout rate was The availability of adequate education facilities such literacy rate in the Central Karoo was recorded at 60% 72.3% in 2016 (this is the percentage of learners that as schools, FET colleges and schools equipped with in 2011. The learner to teach ratio in the Central Karoo enrol in grade 10 but do not complete grade 12). libraries and media centres directly impact academic in 2016 is extremely high sitting at about 51 learners per outcomes. In 2016, there were 29 schools within the teacher, which is an increase from the 2014 value of Matric pass rates in the Central Karoo are irregular and Central Karoo region which had to accommodate 14 about 47 learners per teacher. The learner enrolment fluctuating and do not indicate any trend. See Figure 333 learners. The number of schools with libraries in the numbers only increased marginally from 14 151 in 2014 3.12 below. region stands at 23, meaning that 6 schools do not to 14 333 in 2016. Continuing this alarming trend,

Figure 3.12 - The Matric Pass rates in the Central Karoo between 2014 and 2016.

Figure 3.11 : Education Facilities Map for the Central Karoo District Municipality

3.2.3 HEALTH mobile and 3 satellite clinics which service the Central The provision of ambulance services in the Central Karoo region. Figure 3.13 shows the location of these Karoo is a significant issue, due to the extremely small Healthcare facilities in the Central Karoo are listed in health facilities in the District. It is clear that a facility population and sparsely populated and expansive the Local Government Socio Economic Profile (LGSEP) rationalisation process is underway, since the number region. There are currently 1.71 ambulances per and consist of 4 district hospitals, as well as Nelspoort of mobile clinics and TB clinics has decreased over the 10 000 people. Hospital (psychiatric and TB hospital) supported by a last 5 years, in order to reduce costs and provide more compliment of 9 fixed Primary Health Care facilities consolidated and effective services. Serious illness is a concern for all Municipalities. At the made up of 8 fixed public health care facilities and end of 2016, anti-retroviral treatment (ART) for one community day centre. There are a further 4 HIV/Aids was provided for 1631 persons in the Central Karoo municipality. The municipality acquired a further 926 new ART patients between 2014 and 2016. Concerningly, the HIV transmission rate for 2014 was 3.4% and for 2015 was 4.3% before dropping down to 1.4% in 2016. These rates of transmission were significantly above provincial averages, as can be seen in Figure 3.14 below.

Figure 3.14 : ART patients in the Western Cape

In terms of child health in 2016, immunization rates sit at 74.9% - which is below the Western Cape average of 79.9%. Malnutrition is also higher in the Central Karoo (10.2 per 100 000 people) compared to the Western Cape average – reflective of the high levels of poverty in the region. The neo-natal mortality rate in 2016 was 14 neonatal deaths per 1000 live births, which is significantly above the target of 6 or less neonatal deaths per 1000 live births. Also concerning, is that 21.8% of all babies born in the Central Karoo in 2017 were deemed to be underweight, compared to the provincial rate of 14.3%.

Figure 3.13 : Healthy and Safety Social Facilities Map for the Central Karoo District Municipality

The maternal mortality rate for 2016 was zero, Fatal crashes increased marginally from 38 in 2015 to understand the extent of its groundwater resource, attributed to the high quality of health care being 39 in 2016 whilst road user fatalities decreased slightly including whether its use of it is sustainable or provided by health professionals, but also attributable from 61 to 58 between 2016 and 2017. depletive. to the very low number of people in the region. The delivery rate to women under 18 stood at 8.0% in 2016 3.2.5 ACCESS TO BASIC SERVICES Household sanitation is integral as it promotes health and dignity through the provision of safe disposal and (the % of babies born to mothers under the age of 18), The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa compared to 5.7% within the Western Cape. treatment of human waste. Accordingly, in 2011 guarantees that every citizen has the right to access 89.5% had access to a flush or chemical toilet adequate housing and potable water. Basic services 3.2.4 CRIME, SAFETY & SECURITY connected to the municipal sewage system. By 2016, are adequate sanitation, safe energy sources, and this figure had increased to 97.1%. In this sense, the refuse removal. The Constitution compels local The extent of crime in South Africa does not only have District has made significant progress in providing its governments to progressively achieve the realisation a significant impact on the livelihood of citizens, but constituents with access to acceptable standards of of these rights and services within their available also a detrimental effect on the economy of an area. sanitation services. Crime hampers growth and discourages investment financial means. The data below is drawn from and capital accumulation. The Central Karoo District Central Karoo’s latest SEP:LG report (refer to Figure In terms of electricity as a primary source of lighting, in has five police stations located in Murraysburg, 3.15). 2011 89.4% of the District’s households had access to Beaufort West, Prince Albert, Leeu Gamka, and this form of energy. And by 2016, this figure had In 2011, approximately 97% of households in the Laingsburg (see Figure 3.13). increased to 95.4%. This marks a significant District had access to a formal dwelling. By 2016, improvement which can largely be attributed to the 97.8% of households had access to a formal dwelling. Decreases roll-out of the Integrated National Electrification This indicates that housing delivery across the District Programme (INEP). The murder rate in the Central Karoo decreased by takes place at a faster rate than the growth in the 11.3% from 54 incidents per 100 000 people in 2016 to total number of households. Finally, the SEP-LG report notes that in 2011 78.7% of 48 per 100 000 in 2017. Similarly, reported sexual households had their refuse collected by local With regards to potable water, in 2011 approximately offences decreased by 22.1% during this period from authorities once a week, and by 2016 this number had 99.4% of households had access to piped water inside 184 to 143 incidents per 100 000 people, however is still increased to 90.8%. The report notes that the the dwelling or yard, or within 200 metres from the significantly above the provincial average of 108 remaining backlog may be attributed to outlying farm yard. By 2016, this figured had decreased to 95.1%. incidents per 100 000 people. Driving under the areas, which may not be easy to reach for municipal This indicates that the growth in the number of influence appears to have decreased between 2016 waste removal. Recycling could also be greatly households is outpacing the delivery of water services. and 2017 by 21.8% from 173 to 135 persons per improved in the region in order to deal with waste. 100 000. Residential burglaries decreased from 1039 to It should also be noted that the region does not fully 945 per 100 000 between 2016 to 2017.

Increases

Drug related crime continues to rise in the Central Karoo from 1655 per 100 000 in 2016 to 1847 per 100 000 in 2017, indicative of a 11.8% increase.

Figure 3.15 : Percentages of Households with Access to Basic Services

3.2.6 LAND REFORM & RURAL DEVELOPMENT response to the Land Summit resolutions of 2005, available to beneficiaries by way of lease agreements which called for the acceleration of the pace of land (DRDLR, 2012). Land reform and rural development have an reform, the DRDLR introduced the Proactive Land important contribution to make in promoting inclusive Acquisition Strategy (PLAS). In 2009, the Department The majority of DRDLR land reform projects are and integrated rural economies. conducted a series of consultations with land reform located in the Beaufort West municipal area. The District Land Reform Registry indicates that there are In 2001, the Department of Rural Development and beneficiaries which resulted in the termination of the use of the LRAD and SLAG grants. The focus shifted thirteen (13) PLAS projects, twenty-two (22) LRAD Land Reform (DRDLR) initiated a programme to towards the acquisition of strategically located projects, and four (4) SLAG projects which are establish and promote black emergent farmers; the agricultural land through PLAS and land is made currently ongoing. This translates through to roughly Land Redistribution for Agricultural Development 100 700 hectares of land being transferred to (LRAD) grant was developed for this purpose. In previously disadvantaged South Africans. All of these projects are spatialized in Figure 3.16a below.

The revised Central Karoo District Rural Development Plan for 2018 (CKDRDP) will include the integration of the Agri-Park Initiative and accompanying Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR) projects into Local Municipal IDPs and SDFs. It also aims to assist municipalities and other sector departments to invest in a coordinated manner in order to enable the development and functioning of the Central Karoo District Agri-Park.

An Agri-Park is defined as being a networked innovation system (not only physical buildings located in single locations) of agri-production, processing, logistics, marketing, training and extension services, located in District Municipalities. As a network, it enables the growth of market-driven commodity value chains and contributes to the achievement of the DRDLR’s rural economic transformation model.

An Agri-Park comprises of three basic units:

1. A district-scale Agri-Hub Unit: a production, equipment hire, processing, packaging, logistics and training (demonstration) unit, typically located in a larger agricultural service center.

Figure 3.16a :Land Reform Map for the Central Karoo District Municipality

2. A local-scale Farmer Production Support Unit (FPSU): a rural outreach unit connected with an Agri-Hub that does primary produce collection, some storage, some processing for the local market, and provides extension services including mechanization.

3. The Rural Urban Market Centre Unit (RUMC): typically located in a higher order urban center with three main purposes; linking and binding together role-players in rural, urban and international markets through contracts; acts as a holding-facility, releasing produce to urban markets based on seasonal trends; and provides market intelligence and information feedback to the network of FPSUs and the Agri-Hub.

Figure 3.16b sets out the DRDLR Agri-Park components including the enlarged FPSU catchment areas (60km) applicable in the Central Karoo and reference to the Rural Nodes (CRDP Wards).

Figure 3.16b : Agri-Parks, FPSU catchment areas (60km) and Rural Nodes in the Central Karoo

a significant threat to the long term financial sustainability of the municipality. Job creating 3.2.7 PROPERTY MARKET PATTERNS economic growth is therefore direly needed in the Central Karoo. This analysis of the Central Karoo District’s property market patterns was conducted on the 13th of April 2018 using the information available on the online platforms property24.com and safarmtraders.co.za. Figure 3.17: Table of Findings for Average Open Market Broadly, the technique applied to identify property Property Prices Analysis for Central Karoo District market patterns required the authors to first identify relevant categories of real estate to be analysed, and second to observe regional open market property prices and arrive at an average. For this exercise, the 3.2.8 INCOME AND EMPLOYMENT author’s analysed three categories of real estate Concerningly, the Central Karoo’s GDP per Capita is typology which are agricultural land, entry-level open significantly below that of any other District in the market housing, and higher-income open market Western Cape, currently sitting at just below R30 000 housing; and the data were averaged at the scale of per person per annum, as shown in Figure 3.18, below. the local municipality to allow for regional characteristics to emerge. The information is tabulated in Figure 3.17 above.

In terms of agricultural land, regional variations in land prices may be attributable to water availability, farm size, current use, and carrying capacity. Based on this analysis, it is worth highlighting that property prices for both the entry level and higher income categories are substantially higher in the Prince Albert region. In terms Figure 3.19: Central Karoo District Employment Growth Per of entry-level housing, the high property prices in Sector (2005 – 2016) Figure 3.18: The GDP per capita of each District within Prince Albert could make it difficult for poorer the Western Cape households to access residential properties on the open market. However, the strong performance of Similarly, income inequality has increased between real estate in the high-income category presents an 2010 and 2016 from a Gini co-efficient of 0.55 to 0.57. opportunity for further development, particularly in Positively, however, the Human Development Index Prince Albert town area. has shown an increase from 0.6 in 2010 to 0.68 in 2016.

The number of indigent households in the Central Karoo rose by a staggering 35% from 6161 in 2014 to 8341 in 2016, largely due to job losses that were experienced within the agricultural sector. This has pushed many families into poverty in the region and is

3.2.9 THE ECONOMY but also contracted by rates of -0.3% in 2015, and -0.1% in 2016. The last 5 years have seen the Central Karoo • The tertiary sector also grew at a moderate rate experience an annual average GDPR growth rate of of an average of 2.8% between 2005 and 2015. 2.1%, which is lower than the 10-year average of 3% While growth has slowed, particularly in the period (Central Karoo SEP-LG, 2018), indicative of a slowing between 2014-2016, this sector has not seen economy. 2016 was a particularly bad year for the negative growth. economy, where the primary sector contracted by some 9.3%, the secondary sector contacted by 0.1%, whilst the tertiary sector only grew by 0.6%. This contraction can in part be attributed to the drought that the Western Cape has been experiencing. It can be seen that these are not conditions for job growth to occur.

Overview of the Economy

In 2015, the primary sector (predominantly agriculture) contributed 14.6% to the economy of the Central Karoo, adding R382.3 million to the economy; the secondary sector (predominantly manufacturing, electricity, gas, water and construction) contributed 13.8% (R361.3 million) and the tertiary sector (predominantly wholesale, retail, catering, accommodation, transport, finance, insurance, real estate, general government, community services) contributed 71.7% (R1 882.9 million) to the economy. The Central Karoo economy’s total value in 2015 stood at R2 626.5 million. Figure 3.19, above illustrates key trends in each economic sector between 2005 and 2016. The key trends to take out from the performance of the economy over the 10 years are:

• The agricultural economy grew at an average of 4.5% per annum between 2005 and 2015, although it experienced a deep recession in 2015 and 2016, retracting by 2.9% and 9.3% respectively in each of those years. Figure 3.20 : Economic Performance per sector (2005 – 2016) • The secondary sector grew at a more moderate rate of on average 2.6% between 2005 and 2015 40

rise in poverty in the region. The tertiary sector likewise experienced net decrease in employment opportunities in 2016.

Figure 3.21 provides map which spatially indicates employment per sector (excluding construction) expressed as the number of potential job opportunities at the place where people will work in 2013. This map shows that a majority of job opportunities are clustered around the urban settlements, and along the N1 corridor.

3.2.10 TOURISM

The Karoo is a massive region which stretches over several of South Africa’s provinces. However, this distinctive landscape, its natural environment, and heritage resources are of a significant tourism value for the Central Karoo District. The Karoo offers a diverse range of tourism activities and attractions which are broken down by theme in Figure 3.22 below. Based on these themes, the following Central Karoo towns offer the following activities established in Figure 3.23a.

Figure 3.21: Total Employment Index Map for the Central Karoo District Municipality

EMPLOYMENT TRENDS District, and Beaufort West experienced a net loss of 77 jobs. During the 5-year period between 2010-2015, the Central Karoo District added 2,649 employment Proportionally, 22.9% of jobs are found in the primary opportunities. As of 2015, the Beaufort West area sector, 8.4% are found in the secondary sector, and contributed 65.6% to the employment in the District, 68.7% are found in the tertiary sector. This translates followed by Prince Albert at 19.7%, and Laingsburg at through to 18,501 job opportunities across the District 14.7%. In 2016, there was a contraction in the number in 2015 (see Figure 3.20). The primary sector Figure 3.22: Broader Karoo Tourism Themes. of new job opportunities being created across the experienced net decrease in employment opportunities in 2011, 2014, and 2016 contributing to a 41

There may be an opportunity to enhance tourism at the regional scale if greater attention is paid to detailing natural, heritage, and landscape assets at the local/town level, and then focusing on collaborative and district-wide marketing opportunities and synergies.

Figure 3.23a : Comparison of the Tourism Character of Central Karoo District Towns.

Figure 3.23b seeks illustrate the 5 broad types of landscape character in the Central Karoo.

Figure 3.23b: Landscape Character Map for the Central Karoo

3.2.12 HUMAN DEVELOPMENT INDEX (HDI) major threat faced by the District is that budgets are 3.2.11 GINI COEFFICIENT being cut at both the National and Provincial level. Despite increasing inequality, human development is This may impact on the income received and money Income inequality has increased in the Central Karoo gradually on the increase in the Central Karoo, available to fund infrastructure projects. between 2010 and 2016. Income inequality in the representing a gradually increase in the levels of Central Karoo District is however lower than in any human development in the District. Despite it being other District. This implies that either households and lower than other districts, the rate of change between individuals within the Central Karoo benefit more 2010 and 2016 was the fastest. HDI represents a select equally from regional growth or there are fewer number of indicators (education, housing, access to wealthy individuals within the District to drive up the basic services and health) and therefore attempts to Gini-coefficient. The Gini coefficient for the Central reflect overall levels of human development. The Karoo was estimated to be 0.57 in 2016, from 0.55 in Central Karoo District’s HDI is calculated to be 0.68 in 2010. 2016, from 0.60 in 2010.

3.2.13 MUNICIPAL FINANCES

For the 2017/2018 financial year, the Central Karoo District received R11.5 million from National Government through the equitable share allocation, R52 million from the Western Cape Province for infrastructure spending, and an additional R1 million in grants to improve financial management and emergency services.

District Municipalities have narrow mandates (see 84(1) of the Municipal Structures Act, 2000), and do not have the authority to raise capital through rates and taxes. Practically, a District is heavily reliant on income from Provincial and National Government to provide services to the community.

Most of the expenditure for the 2017/2018 financial year was be applied towards to the maintenance of surface (R19.1 million) and gravel (R19.9 million) roads. In addition, an amount of R9.0 million will be directed towards repairing flood damage in the Laingsburg area. Maintaining and improving the road network is integral to supporting economic growth in the area. A

3.2.14 SWOT OF THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC undermine quality of life and economic THREATS CONDITIONS development potential of the region. • Vast distances between settlements and a STRENGTHS • The GDP per capita in the region is extremely low sparsely distributed population makes the region and income inequality is increasing and the difficult to efficiently serve equitably with • The Central Karoo has some solid tourism assets number of indigent households is growing. These infrastructure, services and facilities. Similarly, low relating to landscape, sense of place, wilderness pressures have a direct impact on municipal thresholds make public transport and business and peace which are worth preserving, financial sustainability to deliver services and the opportunities difficult to financially sustain. enhancing and exploiting opportunities relating ability of residents to both sustain themselves and thereto. pay for services. • The agricultural economy is highly variable and susceptible to hydrological droughts and water • From a services perspective, municipalities within • Following on from the above, drug crime appears availability which is generally extremely scarce in the region were able to provide housing, to be worsening in the region, indicative of severe the region. sanitation and electricity at a rate faster than the socio-economic stress and poverty pressures in population growth rate – translating into the region. • There is insufficient information of the extent of the increasing coverage rates for all of these services ground water of the region and whether its over the last 5 years, and also implying a • Slowing economic growth is weighing heavily on current use by the municipality is sustainable or decreasing level of informality and better overall the overall socio-economic prognosis in the not. service provision. region, which doesn’t see any immediate improvements in the short term. • A threat to the area is an influx of people hoping • In terms of economic development, the tertiary to secure shale gas and mining jobs if public sector and in particular government services, is by expectations of these industries are poorly far the biggest employer and biggest sector of OPPORTUNITIES managed. For example, when the first figures for the economy, and this trend appears to be a shale gas were being reported, the number of continuing trend where the tertiary sector’s • The stabilising population growth rate means that associated jobs were arguably inflated. growth outstrips the primary and secondary government has an opportunity to attend to sector’s. backlogs in delivery of services and facilities, as well as for economic growth to lift more people

• The Human Development Index of the region has out of poverty in the medium to long term. improved over the last 5-year period, indicative that despite increasing inequality, access to • The decreasing dependency ratio in the region services and facilities has improved. means that there is the potential for more people to earn an income and fewer people to rely on WEAKNESSES those earning an income.

• From an education perspective, an alarmingly • The primary and secondary sectors of the high student to teacher ratio is undermining the economy are currently small and hence have quality of education and outcomes in the region. significant scope for long term growth if these sectors become desirable for investors to expand • High poverty rates, poor health outcomes (high operations in. degree of malnutrition and HIV transmission rates)

3.3 BUILT ENVIRONMENT ASSESSMENT the 1.8% who currently live in informal structures, 184 • Merweville: 176 households are located in Prince Albert, 173 are • Laingsburg Municipality: 548 The purpose of this section is to provide an overview located in Beaufort West, and 35 are located in • Laingsburg Town: 516 of the built environment features in the Central Karoo, Laingsburg. The following sets out the number of • Matjiesfontein: 32 drawing on the latest information that is available. persons on the housing waiting list (as at May 2017): • Prince Albert Municipality: 1364 • Prince Albert Town: 956 3.3.1 URBAN SETTLEMENTS & SETTLEMENT • Beaufort West Municipality: 5275 • Leeu Gamka Town: 287 HIERARCHY • Beaufort West (town): 4125 • Klaarstroom Town: 121 • Murraysburg: 746 • Total for Central Karoo: 7187 According to the CSRI, “a settlement refers to a • Nelspoort: 227 distinct human community in its physical, socio- economic and environmental whole which requires the provisioning of services such as engineering and social services. Settlements can be ordered by size and other factors to define a settlement hierarchy, ranging from city regions to hamlets or dispersed rural settlements”. Often, population is a crucial factor in determining the hierarchy of settlements in a region and deciding where to target essential basic services.

The Central Karoo is a predominantly rural District and is home to many small towns and hamlets. Referring to Figure 3.24, Beaufort West is the District’s regional service centre and is home to most of the medical, educational, commercial, and regional administration activities. Laingsburg, Prince Albert, and Murraysburg are major rural settlements which offer some services mentioned above to the surrounding farming communities. Minor rural settlements like Matjiesfontein, Klaarstroom, Leeu Gamka, and Merweville offer limited services and are usually structured around farming, railway, or transport activities within the District.

3.3.2 HOUSING

The information in this section is drawn from the MERO 2017 report, and the latest Human Settlements Housing Delivery Plan. In 2017, 98.2% of the District’s 21,487 households had access to formal housing. Of Figure 3.24 : Settlement Hierarchy Map for the Central Karoo District Municipality

authorities to keep on top of housing demand. Budget cuts or sudden changes in population growth rates could threaten this fragile equilibrium.

The district municipality’s mandate is to provide a supportive function to local municipalities, whose mandate it is to provide housing. The planning for the provision of housing needs to be accompanied by planning for the provision of services, including refuse removal services. The district municipality needs to ensure that the local municipalities’ waste management departments can accommodate the planned housing with respect to refuse removal and other services.

3.3.3 ROAD, RAIL & PUBLIC TRANSPORT

The following section will discuss transportation infrastructure in the Central Karoo, as drawn from the Integrated Transport Plan for the Central Karoo (2015).

ROAD NETWORK

The road system in the Central Karoo is made up of a combination of national, provincial, and municipal roads of which 14% of the total road length (or, 986 km of 7,252 km) is surfaced (see Figure 3.26).

A defining feature of the District is the N1, a national Figure 3.25: Planned Housing Projects for the Central Karoo District Municipality road which runs in a southwest-northeast direction 364 kilometres through the municipality. The N1 enters the Figure 3.25 illustrates the location of planned housing Albert. Human Settlements also plan to service 67 sites District in the west from the Cape Winelands District, interventions in the Central Karoo over the next three in Beaufort West in the 2020/2021 financial year. and passes through Laingsburg, Leeu Gamka, years. In the 2018/2019 financial year, the Department Beaufort West, and Nelspoort and then exits the Housing is not one of the development mandates of of Human Settlements plans to build 250 houses in District into the Northern Cape. The N1 is maintained District Municipality. With that being said, one of the Beaufort West and 143 in Prince Albert. In 2019/2020, by SANRAL, and the full length of this road is surfaced. key strengths related to housing in the Central Karoo is Human Settlements plans to build an additional 150 According to the 2015-2020 District Integrated that the low population growth rates and low units in the Beaufort West area. And in 2020/2021, Transport Plan (ITP), the road “carries an average of prevalence of existing informal dwellings make it Human Settlements plans to build 100 units in Beaufort 2,496 vehicles per day of which 52% are heavy West, 100 units in Murraysburg, and 208 units in Prince easier for the competent local and provincial 46

vehicles”. This road is a key national connector attention to better support the region’s agriculture between Cape Town and Johannesburg – the two • R328 which connects Prince Albert Road at the N1 sector. biggest cities in South Africa. to Prince Albert town which covers a distanced of 44 kilometres. The R328 then continues over the In terms of road safety, the N1 accounts for almost In the eastern part of the District, the N12 runs in a Swartberg Pass (surface: asphalt; condition: poor 2/3rds of all fatalities, mostly attributed to poor driver north-south direction from Beaufort West through to fair). behaviour and fatigue. Head/rear collisions, Klaarstroom, and on to Oudtshoorn. This road has a overturned vehicles and side-swipes account for total extent of 128 kilometres. While the N12 has a • R381 from Beaufort West towards Loxton in the almost 9 out of 10 incidents on the N1 (Central Karoo national road designation, this road is considered a Northern Cape which is 95 kilometres in length to ITP, 2016). ‘trunk road’ and is therefore maintained by the the District boundary (surface: asphalt for 28 km, RAIL NETWORK Western Cape Provincial Government. The District ITP and gravel for 68 km; condition: paved roads are indicates that the N12 is in a relatively poor condition. in good condition, gravel roads are in poor The history and development of the Central Karoo is condition). Other important roads in the Central Karoo include: closely linked to the expansion of the South African

Railways in the 19th century. South African railway • R323 from Laingsburg to the Seweweekspoort • R61 which runs in an easterly direction from history is particularly notable in the town of which is 77 kilometres in length of which only 30 Beaufort West to Aberdeen with a length of 74 Matjiesfontein. Today, the railway operates freight kilometres is surfaced (surface: asphalt; condition: kilometres to the District boundary (surface: and passenger services which travel across the fair to good). asphalt; condition: fair to good). District, running in parallel to the N1. The rail line

specifically runs in a southwest-northeast direction • R353 which runs northwards from Leeu Gamka at • R63 which runs from the N1 towards Murraysburg and passes through Matjiesfontein, Laingsburg, Leeu the N1 towards Fraserburg which is 74 kilometres and Graaff-Reinet with a total length of 87 Gamka, Beaufort West, and Nelspoort. The District has in length (surface: asphalt; condition: good). kilometres (surface: asphalt; condition: mostly two major railway stations at Beaufort West and

poor, but fair to good in places). Laingsburg which can accommodate both • R354 from Matjiesfontein towards Sutherland passenger and freight services. While the Central which is 43 kilometres to the District boundary Karoo has significant and relatively modern rail (surface: asphalt; condition: fair to poor in infrastructure, it is not used to the full benefit of local places). communities.

• R306 from the R61 to Rietbron in the Eastern Cape PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION which runs for 60 kilometres to the District boundary (surface: gravel; condition: fair to Formal public transport services are very limited across good). the District. Given its size, the town of Beaufort West Figure 3.26: Total Road Network Lengths in Central Karoo District has mini-bus taxis, sedan taxis, a single bus service, The District ITP report notes that some surfaced Municipality and mini-bus taxi rank infrastructure in its CBD. roads may need attention in the medium term. However, there are irregular mini-bus taxi services Particularly, the R328 between Prince Albert Road and operating between settlements across the District in • R407 which connects Prince Albert to Klaarstroom Prince Albert, and R63 between Murraysburg and the medium to long-haul type services. This makes and the N12 via the Kredouw Pass (distance: 47 Eastern Cape. The condition of the District’s gravel travelling for education, health, and leisure kilometres, surface: asphalt; condition: fair to road network is mostly poor, and requires much good). 47 opportunities both costly and unpredictable for many 3.3.4 WATER INFRASTRUCTURE The biggest challenge in relation to ground water in of the Central Karoo’s residents. the Central Karoo is the quality of the water that in Water is extremely scarce in the Karoo, where supply most cases does not meet the specification of SANS Long distance bus operators have scheduled daily is hardly able to meet the demand. The current 245. Groundwater development is therefore an stops at Laingsburg, Prince Albert Road, and Beaufort hydrological drought, whose onset started in 2015 and expensive exercise as it must be treated to these West with connections to Cape Town, Kimberley, is still ongoing as of 2018, in which significantly below specifications. Bloemfontein, Durban, Johannesburg and Pretoria. average rainfall has fallen during this period, is the More than 28 buses (with a potential passenger primary reason for the drought. The opportunity In terms of existing water infrastructure, the following capacity of 12,000 per week) from established remains, however, that if aquifers could be sets out the status of each town in the Central Karoo: national operators pass through the Central Karoo adequately tapped, and water extraction managed daily. sustainably, water security could be significantly improved in the region. Concerningly, however, the NON-MOTORISED TRANSPORT scale and extent of the ground water resource is not well known and therefore it is unclear as to whether Walking is a primary transport mode for intra-town ground water is being sustainably used or not. movement. All three Local Municipalities have constructed bicycle and pedestrian paths and Whilst Beaufort West has a water reclamation plant, sidewalks to a limited extent. However, these these plants are not financially or operationally viable interventions have been criticized for not being holistic for the smaller towns as it is necessary to have a or coordinated, and seldom provide adequate links sewerage purification plant for this to happen. to important settlement areas and activities. Towns in the Karoo are mostly dependent on underground water such as boreholes and fountains. In the case of Beaufort West, there is also the Gamka AIR TRANSPORT Dam and the Water reclamation plant, although the Gamka Dam cannot supply water during droughts, it There are three landing strips/airfields across the does serve to supplement the water use during non- District; one in every Local Municipality. These facilities drought periods, especially in assisting to meet higher are primarily used by light aircraft for tourism and daily demands in summer. leisure purposes. There are no national or international airports in the region, with the closest one being There are no plans to build any additional dams by the George Airport. It is unclear is there is sufficient Dept. of Water and Sanitation in the foreseeable demand to warrant a national airport within the future. Exploration for further aquifers and the region, situated near to Beaufort West, however this development of these is therefore the solution for all would be a function of demand and economic towns to make their water supply sustainable. Prince growth into the future. Albert has, however, considered building an off stream dam to enhance its raw storage capacity.

Another project is underway to replenish boreholes in

good rainy seasons to recharge the aquifers.

BEAUFORT WEST MUNICIPALITY: WATER Nelspoort PRINCE ALBERT MUNICIPALITY: WATER INFRASTRUCTURE INFRASTRUCTURE • Demand – 0.35 Ml/day Prince Albert Merweville: • Supply – 0.42 Ml/day • Nine Production boreholes;

• Six production boreholes • Fountain – 20 hours a week as well as 10 of Murraysburg • One borehole not equipped irrigation water on a 24/7 basis;

• Two reservoirs – 200 kl each • Four raw storage dams – 2.4 Ml; • Supply meets demand – 0.47 Ml/day • Water purification – only chlorine • Reservoirs – 4.0 Ml;

• Purification works Nelspoort: Beaufort West Prince Albert Road • Two production boreholes Demand - 5.2 Ml/day • Surface water – weir in river with two pumps • Supply - 6.2 Ml/day • One production borehole – Transnet;

• Aerator for water from boreholes - H2S removal • One reservoir - 50 kl; • Two sand filters to remove silt from surface water Klaarstroom • Water purification – only chlorine Key Water Projects in Beaufort West • One reservoir – 1 Ml • No drilling for boreholes anticipated in area for • Two production boreholes close to each other; Murraysburg: 2018/19; • Four newly drilled boreholes, one equipped in • Five data loggers to be installed in various 2017/18; • Five Boreholes boreholes to monitor water levels as well as one • Two reservoirs – 0,1kl and 0.2 kl. • Four reservoirs each at Merweville, Nelspoort and Murraysburg; Leeu Gamka • Water purification – only chlorine • Borehole of Council of Geoscience to be equipped in 2018/19; Beaufort West • Two production boreholes – one belonging to • Exploration for new aquifers in Beaufort West to be Transnet; • Thirty-five production boreholes in operation undertaken to reduce the reliance on surface • Four newly drilled boreholes, one to be equipped • Five Boreholes ran dry water; in 2018/19; • Water reclamation plant with extra capacity • No projects on any dam are planned or • Transnet can also supply water in a crisis; • Gamkadam - below zero – no delivery underway. • One reservoir. • Three reservoirs – 13.75 Ml

Prince Albert Water demand and supply Beaufort West Municipality: Water demand and supply Prince Albert Merweville • Demand – 1.5 Ml/day • Demand - 0.31 Ml/day • Supply - 1.9 Ml/day • Supply - 0.32 Ml/day

Prince Albert Road LAINGSBURG MUNICIPALITY: WATER INFRASTRUCTURE • Borehole in Laingsburg (Van Riebeeck street) to be equipped and connected to • Supply meets demand Laingsburg infrastructure – 2017/18; • One borehole in Matjiesfontein to be Klaarstroom • Soutkloof fountain equipped and connected to infrastructure - • Well at Soutkloof • Supply meets demand 2017/18; • Two wells in town • Four data loggers to be installed at • Borehole in town Leeu Gamka Laingsburg in various boreholes to monitor • Reservoir – n/a water levels as well as one at Matjiesfontein – • Supply meets demand • Purification works 2018/19; Matjiesfontein • Water meters on all boreholes; • Future intervention is the effective monitoring Key Water Projects in Prince Albert • Two production boreholes in operation and management of current water sources • One with high iron content to be cleaned in and ground water exploration. • Upgrading of raw water storage reservoirs in 2018/19;

Prince Albert – 2017/18/19; • Three production boreholes dried up. • Two boreholes to be re-drilled and equipped in • Two newly drilled boreholes to be equipped and Prince Albert – 2018/19; connected to infrastructure – one in 2017/18 • Borehole to be drilled at Noordeinde in Prince • Reservoir -n/a Albert; • Build diversion structure in river with gabions for irrigation furrow in Prince Albert 2018/19; Laingsburg Water demand and supply • Four data loggers to be installed at Prince Albert in various boreholes to monitor water levels as well Laingsburg as one at Leeu Gamka; • Equipping boreholes in Klaarstroom , Prince Albert • Demand – 1.56 Ml/day and Leeu Gamka-2017/18; • Supply – 1.9 Ml/day • Package plant to take Fluoride out of Transnet borehole water in Leeu Gamka – 2018/19; Matjiesfontein • Future projects might be drilling of two boreholes • Supply meets demand and package plant near Noordeinde Prince Albert; • Off stream dam for fountain water in Prince Albert • Bulk water meters to be installed also on boreholes Key Water Projects in Laingsburg in all towns. • Soutkloof fountain to be upgraded and a new pipeline to Laingsburg – 2017/18/19; • Borehole at Soutkloof to be equipped – 2017/18/19;

3.3.5 WASTE INFRASTRUCTURE Currently, there are nine landfill sites in operation imminently, with other landfill sites also approaching across the District in Laingsburg, Prince Albert Road capacity in the next decade. Murraysburg needs As of 2016, 90.8% of the households in Central Karoo (operated by Transnet), Leeu Gamka, Prince Albert decommissioning and no storage or waste diversion have their solid waste removed at least once a week. Town, Klaarstroom, Merweville, Beaufort West, facilities exist in the region (see Figure 3.28). It is noted Laingsburg has the lowest rate of refuse removal at Nelspoort, and Murraysburg, as shown in the Figure that a new landfill site in Murraysburg has been 79.5%, Beaufort West is at 91.7%, and Prince Albert is at 3.27. All three municipalities note in their planning applied for, which is yet to be approved. 95.4%. The low rates of collection may in part be documents that they lack adequate capacity at the attributable to the sparse population distribution and local level to fully monitor their waste management Opportunities for waste separation and recycling exist the presence of waste handled on farms. programmes. More urgently, the town of Beaufort across the District. Only Prince Albert Town has had West’s landfill will be running out of airspace limited success in implementing a recycling programme. In Prince Albert, recyclables are collected directly from households (separate to general waste) once a week, and there is an on-site recycling facility adjacent to the town’s waste disposal area.

Technically, solid waste management is the legislative mandate of a District Municipality only where disposal sites serve the area of the district as a whole. Laingsburg, Prince Albert, and Beaufort West are currently managing waste at the local level, and the small scale and vast distances of the municipality may make it difficult to manage waste regionally. There are no current plans to regionalise solid waste management in the District.

All available waste plans make it clear that the goal for the Western Cape is to ensure that at least 20% of waste is diverted from waste sites before 2019. This can Figure 3.28 – The existing Waste Management be achieved from recycling; recovery of garden facilities in the Central Karoo (DEA&DP, 2016). waste for mulching, composting and wood chipping; recovery of construction and demolition waste by crushing and re-using; as well as utilising incineration through direct combustion.

Detailed compliance requirements and costs have been set forth in the report titled ‘Assessment of the Municipal Integrated Waste Management Infrastructure in the Central Karoo’ of 2016 and will not Figure 3.27: Landfill and Waste Management Sites Map for the Central Karoo District Municipality.

51 be reiterated here, other than to highlight the following:

• Many waste sites require new cells / airspace to be provided before 2030 – for example, Vaalkoppies requires a 12-year cell to last until 2030. The cost of this new cell would be approximately R23 million, requiring significant cost-recovery (to the value of about R500 per Figure 3.29 – Cost to Comply for waste management per municipality person using the facility);

• The waste profile of municipalities illustrates significant potential for composting, crushing and recycling.

Figure 3.29 illustrates the compliance cost expectations for Waste in the Central Karoo. Figure 3.30 illustrates the cost to achieve 20% diversion by 2019. The final Figure 3.31 illustrates the cost of Figure 3.30 – Costs to achieve 20% diversion per municipality additional infrastructure required up until 2030 (DEA&DP, 2016).

The Waste Act requires local municipalities to provide integrated waste services, which means they must have waste minimisation initiatives in place. The fact that vast distances make it impossible for the local municipalities to provide certain services does not prevent them from forming partnerships with local municipalities outside the Central Karoo DM but adjacent to them. All the municipalities within the Central Karoo DM are obligated to contribute towards to provincial diversion target and Prince Albert cannot do so alone. Figure 3.31: Costs of additional infrastructure required until 2030

3.3.6 ENERGY & ELECTRICITY residents are required to travel between towns. The Referring to Figure 3.32, Eskom has some important other 12% of the energy consumed at the District scale energy infrastructure running through the Central According to the Central Karoo District Energy is in the form of electricity which is delivered through Karoo. A set of major high voltage powerlines crosses Consumption and CO2 Emissions Report (2013), 88% of Eskom’s national power grid. As of 2016, 95.4% of the District in a west-northeast direction, connecting the energy requirement of the District is provided for households in the Central Karoo have access to at a major substation in Beaufort West. In addition, through the use of liquid fossil fuels; namely, diesel and electricity. It is important to note that the sale of another set of high voltage powerlines connects from petrol. This high reliance on liquid fossil fuels is probably electricity to residents is a major source of revenue for the Beaufort West substation and heads south into attributable to the high volume of automobiles that the area’s local municipalities. Eden District. These powerlines form part of the transit through the District, and the vast distances national power grid. Furthermore, the District is crossed by medium voltage powerlines which follow roughly the same route as the N1 corridor. This set of powerlines has several substations which then branch out to supply energy to the local municipalities. 59% of the District’s electricity provision is consumed in the residential sector, and most of the electricity generated and provided by Eskom is drawn from coal-fired power plants (which emit substantial amounts of greenhouse gas).

This report notes that there are several on-shore wind and solar energy projects which are currently being planned for the District.

3.3.7 HERITAGE

Due to the Central Karoo District Municipality being underlain by the Beaufort Group of rocks consisting of shales, mudstone, sandstone and tillite, with the mountains to the south of the district extending onto these rocks, the district is rich in fossils and is thus of great paleontological importance.

Pre-colonial archaeology is evident across the entire district, with particularly San and Khoi artefacts being evident. The San artefacts include rock paintings (in rocky terrain), stone tools and middens containing inter alia bones and food items. The middens were generally found along water courses, pans and flood plains. Beaufort West has a rich collection of rock Figure 3.32: Energy Utilities Map for the Central Karoo District Municipality

53 paintings and engravings, with the most notable protection. These include, fossil sites, archaeological being Nelspoort. sites, farmsteads, corbelled structures, dwellings, religious sites, graves and burial grounds, military Khoekhoen pastoralists are known to have inhabited fortifications, and scenic landscapes. Figure 3.30 the District. Several stone kraal complexes have been below provides examples of some of the District’s identified. At about 1200-1400AD, a global climatic heritage assets. However, this report recommends fluctuation appears to have caused an increase in that a more detailed investigation and assessment be rainfall. This may have increased grazing availability, conducted to identify and extend protection to other resulting in the introduction of cattle into the District. sites worthy of heritage conservation. The current climatic conditions however favour small stock, such as sheep and goats. 3.3.8 Cemeteries

The colonial period provides greater recorded in-sight Cemeteries are well provided for throughout the into the district’s past. Early nomadic pastoralists Central Karoo. A summary of the number of (Trekboere) paved the way for increased expansion cemeteries in the Local Municipalities is provided below. into the interior. This expansion not only resulted in frequent and violent clashes with the last of the stone- Beaufort West: age peoples, but also in the indiscriminate hunting of large game, to near extinction. The establishment of The Beaufort West town has 8 cemeteries which are early settlements took place from the late 1700’s and deemed as adequate to meet the needs of the early 1800’s, generally in close proximity to water municipality in the medium term. resources. This in turn resulted in many skirmishes over Laingsburg: the scarce resource. Soon, these settlements developed into what are today the main towns within The Laingsburg town has 4 cemeteries and the District. Matjiesfontein has 1. These cemeteries are deemed as adequate to meet the needs of the municipality in the Evidence of the Anglo-Boer War in the early 1900s still medium term. remains in the form of grave sites and blockhouses along the railway line, and places such as Prince Albert: Matjiesfontein and Prince Albert were used as There are 5 cemeteries in Prince Albert. 2 in Prince garrisons by the British. There a number of provincial Albert Town, 2 in Leeu Gamka, and 1 in Klaarstroom. heritage sites across the District Municipality and they The cemeteries in Prince Albert town are of a historical include the Swartberg Pass and Gamkaskloof Pass. significance and may require special preservation. Prince Albert notes that it will require land for Provincial heritage sites are also found in the towns of cemetery expansion in the short term. Beaufort West and Prince Albert, a few farmsteads such as Baviaanskloof and Vrolikheid, churches in Merweville and Laingsburg, and a corbelled structure on the farm Vlieefontein near Beaufort West. There are many more individual sites that are worthy of formal Figure 3.33: Table of Central Karoo District heritage elements and their descriptions. 54

3.3.8 SWOT OF THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT OPPORTUNITIES • A lack of public transport and its associated viability hinders access opportunities for the STRENGTHS • Non-motorised transport infrastructure expansion residents of the Central Karoo. in all the Karoo towns will significantly improve • Beaufort West is an established and well-located mobility for those who walk or cycle, which is the • Water availability, drought and water service centre for the region – strategically majority of residents. infrastructure maintenance are significant located on the N1 and the primary rail route constrainers to general urban growth and between Cape Town and Johannesburg. This • Both passenger and freight rail is expected to development, as well as from an agricultural locational advantage has in the past and will increase significantly into the future. The Central perspective. continue to in the future benefit the town and the Karoo region is positioned to benefit from this both region more broadly. from an access and economic spin-off perspective. • Low levels of informality and informal housing means that the municipality operates from a • All town’s in the Central karoo have varying comparatively low base when compared to degrees of heritage-based tourism opportunities and potential exists to upgrade and improve other regions – this makes service delivery more urban design and quality of these environments efficient for urban dwellers. to generate income and economic spin-off’s.

WEAKNESSES • Waste diversion and waste recycling initiatives could be up scaled in the region and could be • Distances to and between settlements (and jobs generating. hence services and facilities) is very high and often very cost-prohibitive, making services and • Opportunities exist for expanding renewable facilities both expensive to access and expensive energy projects related to solar and wind power to deliver, particularly because populations are in the Central Karoo. very small and hence thresholds often not met to provide the service sustainably. • Metering of privately-owned boreholes could both regulate ground water use more effectively • The cost of public transport and location in an and generate income for local municipalities. arid, relatively non-productive and poorly educated area makes the region generally CONSTRAINTS under-performing.

• Limited income generating potential from rates • Significant infrastructure backlogs with limited payers and hence limited infrastructure rates-generating potential and heavy maintenance and new build potential. dependence on national and provincial grants

make this region fiscally vulnerable and • Financial sustainability of the Central Karoo District undermine municipal financial sustainability. Municipality is in question.

3.4 SYNTHESIS AND KEY ISSUES change and alien vegetation further undermine future water security. 9. Agricultural beneficiation and value-add can be 4. The Central Karoo region has significant sense of enhanced in the region significantly, however the Given the above sectoral analysis of the Central karoo place, heritage and tourism assets both in its sector is extremely vulnerable to drought, is region, the following sets out a synthesis and landscape quality in the rural areas as well as its currently shedding jobs and generally identification of the cross-cutting regional spatial underutilised urban heritage potential that can underperforming. Similarly, unsustainable issues that have been identified in relation to the easily be undermined or eroded by poor practices are eroding the carrying capacity of desired spatial policy outcomes: development decisions and land use practices. the land. All towns in the Central Karoo can enhance their 1. Poverty levels, unemployment and inequality are heritage assets, main streets and entrances to the 10. Renewable energy production can be up-scaled high in the region, and particularly within towns through appropriate urban design and in the region and create downstream settlements, where spatial fragmentation and urban renewal interventions. opportunities. inequity are clearly visible. Teenage pregnancy, domestic abuse, drug abuse and inequality 5. Accessibility in the region is generally poor 11. The need to improve education outcomes, partly continue to plague the poor in each settlement. between settlements and higher order facilities, through improved teacher: student ratios and Despite this, stabilising population numbers, and non-motorised and public transport providing good quality foundational through to improved levels of human development and a infrastructure within settlements is inadequate to tertiary education opportunities could equip decreasing dependency ration present accommodate the need. High speed rail, a persons in the region to exploit the emerging opportunities and a glimmer of hope for the potential future nationwide project, as well as opportunities that present themselves as the future. investment in the existing freight and passenger economy diversifies towards a tertiary sector rail systems bring many connectivity opportunities economy and grows. 2. The Critical Biodiversity Network, transport to Beaufort West. The N1 corridor is the life blood infrastructure network and water resources of the of the region. region are potentially threatened by the prospect As can be seen from the synthesis above, as well as of mineral resources extraction (both shale gas 6. The financial sustainability of the District is being and uranium mining) on an expansive scale. eroded by significant budget cuts at national and synthesis maps that follows in Figure 3.34, Figure 3.35 Extensive agricultural practices is also threatened provincial levels, as well as deepening and Figure 3.36 the following observations about the by mineral resources extraction potential. maintenance backlogs in infrastructure, creating state of development of the Central Karoo can be opportunities for shared services, rationalisation made: 3. Water security is a significant threat to a region and improved efficiencies. where ground water resources are both extremely • The urban settlements of Beaufort West, Prince valuable and scarce, and underpin the 7. Waste and waste management is a concern, with Albert and Laingsburg are the primary regional economic and social continuity and resilience of the need to explore regional and sustainable service centres with high degrees of poverty, it – providing a much needed stop-gap between waste solutions in dealing with the generation of inequality and social issues. Beaufort West offers surface water availability and the urban and waste. the highest order service centre of the Central agricultural need for water. Concerningly, the Karoo, with the highest population number and ‘sweet spot’ for shale gas is also the same part of 8. The pace of land reform is too slow, the location highest degree of social challenge. Prince Albert, the District where water production and of land reform projects may not be optimal in however, is experiencing the highest levels of agricultural potential is highest (this is the areas terms of farm productivity and the agricultural population growth. These settlements need to eastwards of Beaufort West and westwards of potential of the Central Karoo as a whole is focus on infrastructure maintenance, appropriate Murraysburg). Doubly concerning, is that climate significantly lower than most other parts of South infrastructure expansion and gearing the Africa. settlements to experience a degree of population 56

and economic growth, leveraging their settlements and where the loci of poverty exists in the economic assets, which in the case of Beaufort Central karoo – being the urban settlements. West and Laingsburg is their positioning along the N1, whilst in the case of Prince Albert, the positioning at the foothills of the Swartberg Mountain Pass.

• The urban settlements of Murraysburg, Leeu Gamka, Merweville, Klaarstroom, and Nelspoort and Matjiesfontein are lower order settlements that provide basic services and access to basic goods. Whilst these urban centres also suffer from socio-economic challenges, their growth potential is limited and capacity for expansion undesirable. These settlements need to focus on consolidation, skills development and job- creating activities, rather than residential development, particularly in the low-income segment of the market, where the economic carrying capacity of the settlements is insufficient to accommodate population and residential growth.

• Critical Biodiversity Areas are currently not sufficiently connected and riverine habitats insufficiently protected from overgrazing and other potential developments.

• Vast distances exist between settlements with largely unaffordable non-regularised public transport services.

• The rail asset of the region underperforms significantly, largely due to an underperforming national rail asset which could accommodate higher levels of freight and passenger rail and Figure 3.34 – Synthesis map 1: Key issues and Opportunities in the region significantly relieve road-based traffic demand.

Figure 3.35 seeks to illustrate the overlap between potential shale gas extraction areas and Critical Biodiversity Areas, the vast distances between 57

Figure 3.35: Synthesis map 2: Key Resource and Environmental issues and Opportunities in the region

Figure 3.36: Synthesis map 3: Key built environment issues and opportunities in the region

CHAPTER 4: SPATIAL PROPOSALS FOR THE CENTRAL KAROO

communication, provide excellent disaster Unpacking the spatial vision, the key phrases imply the management services and maintaining housing following: 4 SPATIAL PROPOSALS choices for a range of income levels. “Working together” – seeking partnership driven The purpose of this section is to provide the It is worth noting that the 2014 SDF’s vision was Working solutions, realising that the challenges facing the overarching spatial direction, spatial development together in Sustainable Spatial Development and Karoo are multi-faceted and cannot be addressed policy and associated strategies for the development Growth. This vision was then unpacked around 10 only by the local sphere of government. Solutions must and protection of the Central Karoo. spatial principles which have been repackaged in this involve the district, provincial and national spheres of SDF in this section and section 4.1.4. The revised spatial government, state owned enterprises, as well as This chapter will start out by highlighting the spatial vision and associated strategies is proposed as follows: multiple private sector role layers as well, such as vision for the Central Karoo, understand the future corporates, businesses and farmers who play a critical growth needs of the municipality, set out the spatial Working together in Sustainable Spatial role in job creation and the improvement of the lives concept for the future growth and development of Development and Growth towards a of the people of the Central Karoo. the region, set out the spatial strategies required to attain this concept and finally make known how this Resilient Central Karoo concept manifests in reality and within the entire Central Karoo District Municipality.

4.1 SPATIAL CONCEPT

4.1.1 SPATIAL VISION STATEMENT

The 2017 – 2022 Central Karoo Integrated Development Plan has the following vision for the Central Karoo: Working together in Development and Growth.

The mission goes on to state that the Central Karoo places a high priority upon ensuring that future growth improves the quality of life in the region. The region also seeks to achieve sustainability, maintain its rural character and create healthy communities by facilitating economic growth, improving infrastructure and green energy opportunities, providing and supporting alternative modes of delivery (shared services), improve marketing, branding and FIGURE 4.1: THE SPATIAL CONCEPT FOR THE CENTRAL KAROO

“Sustainable Spatial Development and Growth” – growth and development, depending on how this 1) A REGION THAT PROTECTS THE ENVIRONMENT, Economic growth is a priority, but this economic future resource is managed, as well as how climate ENHANCES RESILIENCE AND CAPITALISES ON AND growth must be done in a manner that does not harm change impacts the region. HONOUR’S THE KAROO CHARM IN SUPPORT OF A the current and future inhabitants of the Central VIBRANT PEOPLE AND ECONOMY Karoo. Sustainable Spatial Development and Growth must ensure that economic and human growth and From Vision to Strategy The Central Karoo is a dry, arid landscape, sparsely development initiatives undertaken in the region does populated. The Growth Potential of Town’s Study not undermine, and ideally enhance, the It is proposed that this vision is anchored on the (2014) views its overall growth potential as low to very sustainability of the ecological, social, economic and following four strategies and pillars of implementing low, however it does possess a few inherent built environment. Furthermore, spatial growth must this vision, as shown in Figure xx, below. competitive advantages which must be capitalised be undertaken in a manner that is consistent with the upon to grow the economy, provide more people 5 SPLUMA principles of efficiency, spatial resilience, with access to work opportunities or perhaps even spatial justice, spatial sustainability and good more importantly, the ability to see and create latent administration. These principles will be unpacked in entrepreneurial opportunities in the economy. the various policies that will follow later sections of this SDF. This competitive advantage centres on its scenic appeal, sense of place and related tourism potential, “Towards a Resilient Central Karoo” – a Central Karoo limited yet important agricultural activities and related that can withstand sudden shocks or gradual agri-processing potential, green energy (Solar and changes to ecological, climate, social or economic wind) energy potential, as well as on the potential systems. Such shocks could be climate related shale gas reserves that exist in the region. Furthermore, (flooding, heat waves, drought, frosts); ecological the region has a significant rail and national highway (breakdown of ecological systems such as water or asset running through it, providing the potential for biodiversity that render services to the people of the improved connectivity to the broader South African Karoo); social (increases in crime, service delivery economy. protests, social unrest and drug-related); economic (economic decline or stagnation and increasing The region is also incredibly water scarce which joblessness). A resilient region is one where the inhibits both economic growth (insufficient water to economy is diversified, where the people are aggressively expand traditional agricultural output or employable, skilled and employed, and where the industrial production) as well as restricts human natural environment provides adequate natural carrying capacity (in terms of what can be supplied resources, including a sufficient reserve of such to residential users). resources in times of scarcity and stress. Essentially, the FIGURE 4.2: THE FOUR STRATEGIES UNDERPINNING THE region needs to not exceed its inherent carrying Numerous elements of spatial planning will determine SPATIAL VISION FOR THE CENTRAL KAROO capacity to sustain human life as well as continued if a municipality can lower its carbon emissions and maintain and enhance resilience to climate change biodiversity integrity. Specifically, the Karoo is a water stressed region, and hence water resilience is the and these cut across a variety of sectors including cornerstone of the future resilience of the region, in a biodiversity, water management, parks and open way that either enhances or undermines future spaces, transport and critical infrastructure and

61 disaster management. These elements must form a 3) ALLOCATE GOVERNMENT RESOURCES, key component of the planning considerations INFRASTRUCTURE AND FACILITIES IN A MANNER incorporated in all planning decisions. The focus on THAT UPLIFTS AND SKILLS PEOPLE AND FOCUSSES 4) PARTNERSHIP-DRIVEN GOVERNANCE AND non-motorised transport and walkability is critical for ON MAXIMISING IMPACT ON THE MOST POSSIBLE ADMINISTRATION TOWARDS IMPROVED FINANCIAL the Central Karoo, as well as looking at opportunities PEOPLE, WHILE PROVIDING A BASIC LEVEL OF AND NON-FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY AND RESILIENCE that the railway line can have for freight could play a SERVICE FOR ALL role in reducing emissions in the area. Given the limited nature of government resources, There is a growing understanding that an ‘integrated there needs to be a strong focus on ensuring that a full governance’ approach is required to ensure better 2) IMPROVE REGIONAL AND RURAL ACCESSIBILITY suite of facilities and services are provided in the coordination, alignment, and impact of planning, AND MOBILITY FOR PEOPLE AND GOODS IN higher order urban settlements (being Beaufort West) budgeting and delivery. The Central Karoo District SUPPORT OF A RESILIENT ECONOMY with more rudimentary services and lower order must pursue a range of partnerships to either build or

services in the smaller settlements – and even mobile strengthen desired impacts, as well as explore shared The N1-corridor, which includes the N1 highway as well service solutions in the sparsest, smallest settlements or service solutions within the Central Karoo to ensure as the rail link between Cape Town and Gauteng, are hamlets where there is insufficient demand and financial viability as well as sharing of administrative important assets. Currently, the road link provides insufficient funds for a permanent service. The NSDF and logistical burdens associated with servicing a much needed through flow of people, goods and (2019) provides the national spatial social service sparse region. economic stimulus to the region, but the rail is provisioning model which assists in the effective, In addition to this, SPLUMA requires municipalities to underperforming significantly and has the potential to affordable and equitable development of social pursue good administration practices to enhance be a significant link for the movement of goods and service delivery, as seen in Figure xx, below. and strengthen the spatial planning and land use people in the future. There is currently no subsidised management systems of the municipality. public transport system in the region, making it incredibly expensive for people to move within this sparsely populated region to access goods, services and facilities.

FIGURE 4.3: THE NSDF’S ‘SOCIAL SERVICES WHEEL’ (NSDF, 2019)

4.1.2 FUTURE DEMAND APPROACH STATEMENT

As set out in section 3.2.1, the following sets out the predicted population, housing and land requirements for future growth and development within the Central Karoo.

The population is set to grow to approximately 84 335 people in 2030 from the estimated mid-year population of 74 247 in 2016, representing an increase of just over 10 000 new people, or 2 933 new households.

It is anticipated that of these new 2 933 households, 1 301 will be in the municipality of Beaufort West (4 476 people); 1 137 will be in the municipality of Prince Albert (3 911 people) and 586 will be in the municipality of Laingsburg (2 017 people). It is evident then, that the municipality of Prince Albert will have the fastest population growth rate, while Beaufort West will have the largest absolute increase in population and households.

Looking at this on the town scale, the following is evident: FIGURE 4.4: THE POPULATION PROJECTIONS PER SETTLEMENT FOR THE CENTRAL KAROO UP UNTIL 2030 • There is a trend of a significantly slowing growth rates comparing the 2001 to 2011 periods and the • The town of Prince Albert will have a population • The growth or decline in non-urban populations in 2011 to 2016 periods, across the board. of 10 000 by 2030, from 7 849 in 2016. the Central Karoo are less easy to predict as it is unclear if these populations will move more • Each local municipality has a different average • The town of Laingsburg will have a population towards urban centres and agriculture decline growth rate, with Beaufort West growing the 7545 in 2030, from 6150. due to water scarcity or if these populations will slowest (0.6% per annum) and Prince Albert grow due to agricultural innovation and growing at nearly three times as fast (1.73% per • Murraysburg – the fourth largest town in the expansion. Nevertheless, non-urban populations annum). Central Karoo - will grow from 5224 in 2016 to 5682 are significant – of not sparsely distributed – in the in 2030. region. • The town of Beaufort West is anticipated to have 37 776 living in it by 2030, up from 34 732 in 2016. • Leeu-Gamka will grow from 2984 in 2016 to 3802 in 2030. 63

In terms of households and land requirements for development in each town into the future, as shown in Figure xx and Figure xx below, the following is evident (please note the assumption of an average gross dwelling unity density of 25 dwelling units per hectare):

• Beaufort West (the town) will need to accommodate 885 new households by 2030, equating to approximately 35 hectares.

• Prince Albert (the town) will need to accommodate 625 new households by 2030, equating to 25 hectares.

• Laingsburg (the town) will need to accommodate 405 new households by 2030, equating to approximately 16 hectares.

FIGURE 4.5: THE HOUSEHOLD PROJECTIONS PER SETTLEMENT FOR THE CENTRAL KAROO UP UNTIL 2030 • Murraysburg will accommodate 133 new households, translating to 5 hectares by 2030.

• Leeu-Gamka will accommodate 238 new households, translating to 10 hectares needed by 2030.

FIGURE 4.6: THE LAND REQUIREMENT PROJECTIONS PER SETTLEMENT FOR THE CENTRAL KAROO UP UNTIL 2030

Implications for facilities and services • A note on assumptions • 3 to 4 new ECD facilities; Increases in populations and number of households • 2 to 3 new primary schools; It should be recognised that these population, has direct impacts on the future needs for facilities • 1 to 2 new secondary schools; household, land and facility projections are based on such as schools and clinics. The Western Cape • Up to 2 new sports fields; several assumptions, such as the population growth Government has a Development Parameters • 1 local library; rates experienced between 2011 and 2016 continuing Guideline, and the CSIR has developed a Facilities • Various new open spaces / parks; and in a linear manner, that each household average 3.44 Provision Toolkit which helps us to model future • 1 new community hall. people per household, and that the average gross facilities needed to accommodate growth. It is These new facilities must obviously be provided where dwelling unit density is 25 dwelling units per hectare. anticipated that the 2933 new households in the the new households are going to be located and Although linear growth is an unlikely outcome, it is the Central Karoo by 2030 will trigger the need for hence the Municipal SDF’s for each local municipality only reasonable scenario that can be used to project approximately: will need to verify and determine location. future growth and is the ‘middle road’ growth scenario. Any variance in these assumptions will drastically change the future growth and development scenario, which is also intimately tied to and related to the future availability of water in the region, the growth or decline of the agricultural sector, migration and any major regional development initiatives (such as shale gas development) that may occur. Therefore, these figures are indicative and approximate and assist in identifying future land for development within the plans. It should be noted that both commercial and industrial new land requirements haven’t been approximated, although the SDF maps will make provision for this.

FIGURE 4.7: NEW FACILITIES REQUIRED TO SUPPORT 2933 NEW HOUSEHOLDS BY 2030 IN THE CENTRAL KAROO

4.1.3 MUNICIPAL-WIDE SPATIAL CONCEPT DIAGRAM

As articulated in the spatial vision, the spatial concept for the region focusses on focusing on sustainable development, resilience and partnerships.

The four strategies of the municipal wide spatial concept are:

• A region that protects the environment, enhances resilience and capitalises on and honour’s the Karoo charm in support of a vibrant people and economy;

• Improve regional and rural accessibility and mobility for people and goods in support of a resilient economy;

• Allocate government resources, infrastructure and facilities in a manner that uplifts and skills people and focusses on maximising impact on the most possible people, while providing a basic FIGURE 4.8: THE SPATIAL CONCEPT FOR THE CENTRAL KAROO level of service for all; and and hence creates jobs and assists in poverty • Partnership-driven governance and 2) Protect and enhance water catchment areas, alleviation. administration towards improved financial and and water resources by demarcating Critical non-financial sustainability and resilience. Biodiversity Areas and Environmental Support 4) Ensure the development and maintenance of a How the above translates spatially in the region is Areas and preventing inappropriate road network that provides good access and development within these areas. mobility for the region, as well as ensure the described as follows: regional rail network is equipped to provide for 1) Protect and enhance the natural systems of the 3) Capitalise on the tourism appeal of the various the movement needs. The N1 corridor is a key Central Karoo, ensuring continuity in the natural assets that exist in the Central Karoo, such as the economic and social asset in the region that must systems and ensure the river corridors in the region heritage appeal of existing town centres, as well be maintained and enhanced where are provided with the necessary buffers and set as scenic ports and passes. Ensure that all appropriate, also looking at road safety in the back (of at least 32m from the side of each development in the Karoo is compatible with the region. riverbank) to preserve continuity and integrity of sense of place, Karoo character and charm. This biodiversity systems. Prioritise Critical Biodiversity intrinsic value create lifestyle, tourism and 5) Specific focus is also needed on non-motorised Areas and Environmental Support Areas for hospitality opportunities, as is seen in Prince Albert, transport within the region. Non-motorised protection. transport, particularly pedestrian movement, is 66

the primary transport mode among residents. Key interventions for implementation in this area are pedestrian walkways, bridges and underpasses, and cycle paths. An important consideration in the planning of such interventions is safety and security.

6) Ensure that Beaufort West provides the primary administrative services and facilities in the region, with Laingsburg and Prince Albert also playing local service centre roles. Business opportunities within these towns to be maximised to encourage the multiplier effect of investment and expenditure of these towns. From a governance capital investment and maintenance perspective, these towns are the crucial drivers of growth and development opportunities.

7) Strongly encourage value-add, industrial and agri-processing industries locating in the primary and local service centres to create jobs and add value to the region’s agricultural goods and services.

8) Focus government investment, facilities, services and housing opportunities in Beaufort West, Prince Albert and to a lesser extent Laingsburg and Murraysburg. Prevent the creation of new low- income settlements in low growth, job deficient towns that have little prospect of creating employment.

9) Seek partnerships to enhance various interventions, with a focus on the top 3 most impactful and critical interventions for the region. These will have to be determined based on the priorities of the District and the transversal nature of the issues. Currently water, gas and energy, and rural mobility are three areas of potential partnership between the spheres of government and civil society.

development. This is important not only for the 4.1.4 SETTLEMENT-SPECIFIC SPATIAL CONCEPTS reasons of redress, but for long term stability and economic growth which requires that all citizens Although it is recognised that the Central Karoo district are empowered to participate in the economy is not responsible for the local-level planning decisions and become tax and rate paying citizens. Urban that indeed the local municipalities are, it is the role of restructuring will require well-locate underutilised land to be identified for development of the District municipality to emulate and set out the residential, retail and commercial activities. planning principles that must be used throughout the district. This section sets these spatial principles out, 3. Spatial resilience – creating settlements that are building on the Western Cape Provincial Spatial resilient to change and flexible in times of stress. Development Framework. What this practically means, and in the case of the Central Karoo, is to create water-resilient The key spatial principles that must be espoused in all settlements that focus on diversification of water FIGURE 4.10: THE TOP 10 URBAN DESIGN DIMENSIONS FOR development, maintenance or protection initiatives sources (including rain water capture as a source WALKABILITY (http://www.stateofplace.co/state-of-place- are: of water for households) as well as diversification profile/) of economy, social support, energy generation 1. Spatial efficiency – ensuring that land, and multiple other systems and services that the infrastructure and resources are used efficiently 5. Municipal financial sustainability – do not region relies upon. and not wastefully. undermine the long term financial sustainability of

the settlements of the Karoo. Municipal financial 4. Walkability & appropriate densification. Linked to sustainability is undermined in the following ways: the principles of spatial efficiency and spatial (1) by investing in new infrastructure that the justice, is the basic yet catalytic principle of municipality is unable to afford to maintain in the promoting walkability and ensuring appropriate long term, (2) by not paying sufficient attention to densification takes place in the settlements of the asset and infrastructure maintenance, (3) by Karoo. The goal is to create neighbourhoods and allowing low density urban sprawl that requires settlements that one can traverse on foot or by more infrastructure per housing unit than denser bicycle in a safe and dignified manner. The State urban forms, (4) by investing only in the creation of Place (2017) identified the following 10 of non-rates generating indigent households that universal urban design principles as central to ultimately grow in relation to rates-generating achieving walkability, as set out in the graphic households. This is not to imply that the local below. This graphic highlight the importance of municipalities should not be pro-poor, but they FIGURE 4.9: LAND MUST BE USED EFFICIENTLY. LOW density, aesthetics, traffic safety, connectivity, must also consider how they will grow their DENSITY DEVELOPMENT TYPOLOGIES ARE COSTLY FOR public spaces, safety, form, recreation, income, rates and ability to service residents. THE MUNICIPALITY TO SERVICE AND CREATE pedestrian amenities and proximity as key success

INEQUITABLE SETTLEMENTS THAT ARE COSTLY TO LIVE IN factors to promoting more walkable settlements. 6. Honour, enhance and build upon the unique Indeed, Karoo settlements already have some of architectural charm and tradition of the Karoo – the elements of this. the Karoo has a certain set of building and 2. Spatial justice & urban restructuring – ensuring the housing typologies that can indeed be honoured apartheid legacy is addressed in a way that and enhanced in future growth and includes the urban poor in settlement development – to make these places even more 68

appealing and desirable for tourism. These typologies need not be expensive and indeed could be replicated in government subsidy housing initiatives, as well as in gap and market housing development. The figures below illustrate the different housing typologies which should be first and foremost protected, but also proliferated in the Karoo to add to its charm, tourism appeal and character.

FIGURE 4.11D: TYPICAL KAROO-STYLE ROAD-FRONTING FIGURE 4.11B: ANOTHER TYPICAL KAROO-STYLE ROAD- TOWN COTTAGE (source: FRONTING TOWN COTTAGE https://www.portfoliocollection.com/travel- blog/kicking-back-karoo-country-style-at- nieuwehuyz)

FIGURE 4.11A: TYPICAL KAROO-STYLE ROAD-FRONTING TOWN COTTAGE

FIGURE 4.11C: TYPICAL KAROO-STYLE ROAD-FRONTING TOWN COTTAGE (source: http://www.findtripinfo.com/south-africa/northern- cape/karoo.html )

4.2 MUNICIPAL-WIDE SPATIAL STRATEGIES i. Core 1 Areas - those parts of the rural landscape other activities that modify natural habitat. Even required to meet targets / thresholds for so, they may include small remnants of natural 4.2.1 STRATEGY A: A REGION THAT PROTECTS THE biodiversity patterns or ecological processes (i.e. habitat such as the patches or strips of natural ENVIRONMENT, ENHANCES RESILIENCE AND Protected Areas and Critical Biodiversity Areas). habitat that survive between cultivated lands, CAPITALISES ON AND HONOUR’S THE KAROO along river-lines and ridges. CHARM IN SUPPORT OF A VIBRANT PEOPLE ii. Core 2 Areas - places in a degraded condition AND GROWING THE ECONOMY that are required to meet biodiversity targets, for vi. Settlement Areas - This category includes all species, ecosystems or ecological processes and existing cities, large and smaller towns, villages A resilient region is one that can adapt to and infrastructure. These areas should be rehabilitated and hamlets. Settlements are delineated by mitigate against the negative effects of climate and only low-impact, biodiversity-sensitive land- municipalities in terms of an urban edge or by the change, increasing temperatures, reduced rainfall uses are appropriate. Also includes Ecological Department of Environmental Affairs and and the host of downstream impacts on the economy Support Areas (ESA) that are not essential for Development Planning in terms of the 2014 NEMA and society at large. The future vibrancy of the meeting biodiversity targets but play an important Listing Notices as urban areas. economy and social advances will invariably be role in supporting the ecological functioning of rooted in the resilience of the natural environment to CBAs. The table below, in Figure xx, seeks to show how to a host of negative impacts. This section seeks to set convert Protected Areas, Critical Biodiversity Areas, out policies in support of this strategy. iii. Buffer 1 Areas – These areas may be natural or Ecological Support Areas and other natural areas to they may be degraded but still play an important 4.2.1.1 POLICY A1: PROTECT CRITICAL BIODIVERSITY the various Spatial Planning Categories talked about role in supporting the functioning of Protected AREAS, ENVIRONMENTAL SUPPORT AREAS & above, as set out in the Western Cape Biodiversity Areas or CBAs, and are essential for delivering NATURAL ENVIRONMENT TOWARDS A RESILIENT Spatial Planning Map. ecosystem services. These areas should be KAROO restored and/or managed to minimize impact Policy A1 Guidelines: Mange land use management on ecological infrastructure functioning. in the rural areas of the Central Karoo through the application of Spatial Planning Categories (SPC’s) as iv. Buffer 2 Areas - This category includes areas set out in the Western Cape Rural Land Use Planning designated as Other Natural Areas, located in Guidelines and the Western Cape Biodiversity Spatial an extensive and/or intensive agriculture Plan, and ensure that all investment in the Karoo matrix (i.e. livestock production) as the landscape seeks to underpin the principles of spatial dominant land use. sustainability and spatial resilience. Greater detail on each SPC layer can be found in the Western Cape v. Agriculture Areas - The Agriculture SPC FIGURE 4.12: A TABLE SHOWING HOW TO CONVERT A BIODIVERSITY Rural Land Use Guidelines. The Central Karoo District comprises a consolidation of the existing and SPATIAL PLAN MAP TO A SPATIAL PLANNING CATEGORY MAP Municipality SDF maps sets out development potential intensive agricultural footprint (i.e. proposals that are in line with the inherent land use homogeneous farming areas made up of suitability of its varying landscapes. cultivated land and production support areas). It The map on the following page, Figure xx, seeks to is those areas in which significant or complete loss illustrate the proposed Spatial Planning Categories for The SDF Plan comprises of the following Spatial of natural habitat and ecological functioning has the Central Karoo, showing: Planning Categories (SPC’s): taken place due to activities such as ploughing, hardening of surfaces, mining, cultivation and 70

• Core 1 Areas – predominantly in the Swartberg mountains, Karoo National Park, and the riverine areas of the Karoo. • Core 2 Areas – predominantly areas of water importance - around Beaufort West, Nelspoort and Murraysburg. • Buffer 1 and Buffer 2 areas – around all riverine areas in the Karoo.

FIGURE 4.13: A REGION THAT PROTECTS THE ENVIRONMENT, ENHANCES RESILIENCE AND CAPITALISES ON AND HONOUR’S THE KAROO CHARM IN SUPPORT OF A VIBRANT PEOPLE AND GROWING THE ECONOMY

4.2.1.2 POLICY A2: PROMOTE AND DEVELOP A WATER iii. When delivering any agri-processing, renewable RESILIENT CENTRAL KAROO energy or any infrastructure in rural areas, ensure 4.2.1.3 POLICY A3: TOURISM ENHANCEMENT & that key view sheds, vistas and views are not Without water, this region is economically, socially and PROTECTION OF SCENIC ASSETS undermined. environmentally not unsustainable. Indeed, it can iv. Develop and implement a Destination and neither support any further growth in population or Together with agriculture and agri-processing, tourism tourism branding, marketing and sales strategy to economy if water is not managed, extracted and is a sector of the economy that can significantly assist sell both the tourism opportunities as well as the utilised sustainably. If the status quo remains, the in achieving future growth and development in the key economic assets. region will continue to experience economic shocks region, and playing a significant part in uplifting the v. Ensure adequate setbacks and screenings (by related to water unavailability, inhibiting the chance poor out of poverty. The way the region is managed planting) of all new development from key of the poor in the region to access jobs and ultimately from a built environment perspective can either movement routes in scenic areas of the region. move out of poverty. Water is very much the heart of enhance or degrade the tourism, scenic and heritage vi. Rejuvenate and invest in the historic settlement the economy of the region. potential of the region. It is desirable to ensure that cores of each town to make these appealing to current heritage assets are maintained and tourists, businesses and attract investment into the enhanced and new built environment assets created town centres. Policy A2 Guidelines: in line with existing vernacular architecture and heritage. Adapting to water scarcity by:

i. Developing water and sanitation infrastructure that utilises water re-cycling and reuse. Policy A3 Guidelines: ii. Promote household and farm-scale rain water capturing for non-potable uses. i. Manage all iii. Regulate borehole use to ensure sustainable use development in the of groundwater systems Karoo (whether rural or urban, high income or iv. Monitoring ground water resources and low income) in a way implementing effective water reduction that respects and techniques when sources are low. enhances the sense of v. Ensuring the integrity of valuable rainwater place, scenic assets catchment areas and riverine systems are kept and unique Karoo clear of invasive plant species or any use that will charm. either degrade the quality or quantity of water ii. Promote vernacular available for use. Karoo-style building vi. Promoting farming techniques that minimise typologies in all water use. development – low income housing development could be adapted to have Karoo-style features. FIGURE 4.14: INDICATING HERITAGE AND SCENIC RESOURCES IN THE MUNICIPALITY

4.2.1.4 POLICY A4: PROMOTE RESILIENT, SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE & AGRI-PROCESSING

The Karoo, being a water scarce region, is also a region with constrained yet valuable agricultural production taking place mostly in those areas where rainfall and irrigation is sufficient to sustain it.

Policy A4 Guidelines:

i. Encourage water-resilient farming practices that enable more efficient and productive use of water. ii. Encourage the use of drought-resistance crops and crop hybrids that tolerate drought conditions and use less water. iii. Actively and aggressively promote value-add to all locally produced agricultural products in the region. iv. Develop, market and enhance the Karoo brand for meat as well as key fruit and vegetable assets. v. Ensure farmers in the region are granted the necessary rights and building plans on their farms to promote agri-processing and job creation, but in a way that doesn’t undermine Karoo charm and character (i.e. designed well and fitting in well with the landscape). vi. Provide the necessary farmer support for drought FIGURE 4.15: A HEAT MAP OF AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES, AND AGRICULUTRAL INFRASTRUCTURE relief, water use efficiencies and agricultural expansion in the region, with a specific focus on emerging farmers.

Basin is undoubtedly one of South Africa’s more iv. Local communities potentially exposed to contentious proposals in the last decade. negative air quality as a result of shale gas 4.2.1.5 POLICY A5: SUPPORT AND PROMOTE THE extraction and related activities will be protected RENEWABLE ENERGY ECONOMY To date, SGD is still only a theoretical proposal within by an adequate buffer. the Karoo Basin. Most notably, there is limited The Karoo region is blessed with significant solar and evidence that shale gas reserves can be viably v. Agricultural, tourism, visual and heritage areas wind energy – the prerequisites for successful that are deemed sensitive to shale gas extraction recovered within the Karoo Basin, and estimates of renewable energy projects. The Karoo should shall be avoided as per the CSIR’s Shale Gas shale gas reserves vary widely. leverage this asset to encourage Independent Power Strategic Environmental Assessment (2017).

Producers to locate in the region, also making the Considering the dearth of evidence for the Karoo Central Karoo a well-managed and desirable place vi. Information gathering and evidence-based Basin, the extent and viability of these gas reserves, as to locate, if one is connected to this industry. The policy development remain key priorities for well as the characteristics of their subsurface Proximity of the Central Karoo to the Garden Route is providing relevant information upon which environment, can only be known with satisfactory decisions can be taken. an additional asset in that industry professionals are levels of certainty by means of exploration, that is, more likely to locate to these regions if they operate drilling into the target shale deposits and, if vii. Natural gas represents a significant opportunity in the solar, wind or gas generation industries. hydrocarbons are encountered, undertaking a limited for economic development in the Western Cape amount of hydraulic fracturing. (and South Africa as a whole). National government has identified preferred areas or

Renewable Energy Development Zones (REDZ’s), as viii. With South Africa focusing on its climate change well as identified areas for electricity generation. Policy Position / Policy A6 Guidelines: commitments, natural gas should only be Notwithstanding this, there are vast areas of the regarded as a transition fuel on the way to a Central Karoo outside of these REDZ’s that hold i. A key area of concern around shale gas reliance on increased renewable energy potential to generate renewable energy. These areas extraction in the Karoo is the potential impact of generation. The use of natural gas must occur in should not be completely ignored in supporting the this activity on ground water resources. All support of renewable energy, not at the cost future energy resilience of the province and country. impacts of this activity, on ground water resources thereof, or as an alternative thereto. specifically, must be adequately mitigated if it is Policy A5 Guidelines: to proceed in the Karoo basin. ix. When considering Karoo shale gas as a possible source of natural gas, the following must be i. Actively seek out green energy projects to be ii. Critical Biodiversity Areas, Environmental Support considered: the anticipated shale gas drilling located in the region. Areas, Protected Areas and areas with valuable costs in South Africa will be significantly higher ii. Put in place incentives to encourage green aquifers must be protected from shale gas than those of the United States due to the lack of energy operators to locate in the Central Karoo. extraction or any other kind of environmentally infrastructure; the remoteness of the gas reserves compromising activity. (i.e. far away from the markets); a lack of drilling technology and expertise; an inadequate 4.2.1.6 POLICY A6: SHALE GAS DEVELOPMENT (SGD) iii. Shale gas extraction shall not take place within institutional context (i.e. regulatory framework, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) development human resources and knowledge capacity); Background and activity restriction buffer as set out in the CSIR undeveloped markets; and socio-ecological The use of hydraulic fracturing (commonly known as Strategic Environmental Assessment for Shale Gas implications, inclusive of latent environmental extraction or any such buffer that replaces this. “fracking”) to extract shale gas deposits in the Karoo impacts.

x. There is inadequate information to support or Government is in the process of evaluating its oppose full or large-scale production of shale gas. readiness to respond to SGD demands if The Western Cape Government does however, exploration goes ahead within the Karoo Basin of 4.2.1.8 POLICY A8: CENTRAL KAROO CLIMATE acknowledge that the need for information South Africa. CHANGE ADAPTATION AND MITIGATION necessitates the commencement of exploration. POLICY

xi. The Western Cape Government supports shale 4.2.1.7 POLICY A7: LAND REFORM SUPPORT POLICY Drought is perhaps the most severe of the suite of gas exploration conducted in a phased manner, potential climate change impacts for the Central with evidence-based decision making. A Karoo. Extended periods of drought not only have prerequisite however, is an improved state of The following sets out four criteria used to identify water-related impacts but biodiversity, infrastructure, readiness of both government and non- Strategically Located Land (SLL) for land reform in the food and human health impacts. The Central Karoo governmental stakeholders prior to the Central Karoo. These criteria will be generally used to will focus deliberately in integrating climate change commencement of exploration activities. This inform the acquisition of farms in rural areas for land mitigation (reducing greenhouse gas emissions) and includes the improvement of the regulatory and reform purposes. climate change adaptation (creating an broader institutional framework based on the environment resilient to the impacts of climate findings of the SEA process. Significant progress 1. The farm should fall within the Farmer Production change) into its future growth path in the following has been made in this regard through, for Support Unit (FPSU) catchment area, which ways: example, establishing a regulatory framework for indicates its proximity to the nearest town, hydraulic fracturing, although it is acknowledged potential markets and accessibility to the District Policy A8 Guideline for Mitigation: that a lot must still be done to review and road network. The FBSU catchment area is enhance our institutional framework. defined as being within 60 km of an FBSU. 1. Identify and protect primary carbon sinks in the municipal area – relating predominantly to xii. Support for the commencement of exploration 2. The farm should not contain significant amounts Critical Biodiversity Areas and Environmental activities does not constitute support for the of Spatial Planning Categories (SPC) or Support Areas; production phase of shale gas development. The Biodiversity Spatial Planning area that indicates it need for information is still a primary aim of the as sensitive or having constraints (i.e. in a core or 2. Promote walkable settlements with Non- exploration phase in understanding the extent of buffer SPC). Ideally, an Agricultural SPC is the most Motorised Transport infrastructure and pedestrian the shale gas resource as well as the receiving suitable land for acquisition purposes. friendly urban design; environment. Once this information has been considered, an informed (and evidence-based) 3. The farm should not contain significant amounts 3. Promote renewable energy generation and use; decision to move into the production phase for of steep slopes (i.e. slopes above 12%). SGD can be taken. This is inclusive of the open 4. Promote green-building principles in new builds

and transparent consideration of information and retrofitting of buildings; generated through the exploration phase. 4. Land ownership determination: ideally, unused or under-utilised state owned land should be xiii. Should shale gas prove to be a viable considered above private farms, unless these are environmentally sustainable source of natural gas, available for acquisition purposes or are Policy A8 Guideline for Adaptation: the Western Cape Government will consider both determined to be crucial to settling a land claim 1. Identify and protect future flood risk zones, and the potential risks and opportunities related to for a parcel of land. avoid these areas in new development; shale gas development, including how these may affect the Karoo environment. The Western Cape

2. Promote water-efficient infrastructure development to reduce urban and rural water use;

3. Identify and remove alien vegetation from water catchments and for fire risk reasons;

4. Promote planting, shade and urban forms that promote urban cooling effects in summer heat waves;

5. Ensure storm water system in urban areas can accommodate flooding conditions effectively;

6. Promote the development of infrastructure that is resistant to increased heatwaves;

7. Ensure local food production systems are resilient to heatwaves and drought;

4.2.2 STRATEGY B: IMPROVE REGIONAL AND RURAL private operators to operate on government-owned ACCESSIBILITY AND MOBILITY FOR PEOPLE AND infrastructure, opening opportunities in the economy. GOODS IN SUPPORT OF A RESILIENT ECONOMY 4.2.2.3 POLICY B3: CENTRAL KAROO MOBILITY POLICY Policy B1 Guidelines Access to services and the mobility of the poor are As has been clearly articulated in the Integrated two significant concerns in the region. In addition to i. Maintain and enhance N1 road infrastructure Transport Plan for the Central Karoo as well as the this, the existing road and rail infrastructure provides quality in the region; Central Karoo Mobility Strategy (2013), mobility for the access to markets and serves as the life line for the ii. Revitalise rail corridor for passenger and freight rural poor between settlements is a key social support rail; region – providing a potential market that passes need. Provincial Government and local government iii. Invest in and enhance key rail stations such as through the N1 corridor daily between Cape Town must find ways to provide low-cost mobility solutions to Beaufort West, Matjiesfontein and Laingsburg rail and Gauteng. The Central Karoo must leverage this ensure people in the region have access to basic way stations. enormous asset and ensure that it maximises the services, facilities, education and employment, in line economic benefits that such a key movement with the Provincial Sustainable Transport Policy. corridor presents. 4.2.2.2 POLICY B2: TOWN IMPROVEMENT PLANS Policy B3 Guidelines

As part of improving money spent in the region of i. Lobby Transnet and PRASA to upscale the rural rail 4.2.2.1 POLICY B1: N1 ROAD AND RAIL CORRIDOR people passing through it, each town in the region service passing through the region (Shosholoza REVITALISATION needs to ensure that it creates an environment Meyl) to provide a more regular and reliable services to the region. conducive to attracting passers-by to spend money in ii. Lobby the implementation of the Central Karoo The N1 corridor, consisting of a national highway and these towns. In some instances, beautification Mobility Strategy, even if a reduced service underutilised but no less important rail asset, currently programmes could be carried out and in other, thereof, to provide the most basic level of contributes significantly to the economy of the region infrastructure interventions may be required. accessibility. (through money spent in towns by passers-by, at iii. Invest in rural pedestrian safety, non-motorised petrol stations, farm stalls, bed and breakfasts and Policy B2 Guidelines transport networks and scholar transport safety. related tourism stop-overs). The rail asset is currently underutilised and in the future, could provide i. All settlements to carry out basic beautification important passenger and freight services which the measures at its entrances and main through-fares, Central Karoo could benefit from, both in terms of including cleaning and sanitation services, tree- 4.2.2.4 POLICY B4: DISASTER MANAGEMENT & planting (in drought-tolerant species) and connectivity but also people passing through. RESILIENCE investment in public-walkways and main streets, The N1 corridor – as a corridor of national importance including infrastructure maintenance. The Central Karoo is an extremely water stressed ii. Investigate low-cost high-impact measures to – must continue to maintain and enhance the region. The likelihood of future water-related disaster increase the appeal of settlements for attracting excellent road infrastructure of the region but also (both drought and flooding) remains high, particularly tourists. work must be done to revitalise the passenger and in areas that experience population growth pressures iii. … freight rail industries. Government must seek or that are located within flood lines. Similarly, innovative ways to ensure rail is revitalised, even if this mountain areas and urban areas are subject to fire- means reconsidering the regulation, management related risks. The Central Karoo must work to become and operations of the national rail network – allowing more resilient and disaster-ready.

Policy B4 Disaster Prevention Guidelines i. Develop and implement a water resilience plan, including looking at rain water capture, ground water extraction and water reuse as central to future economic growth and sustainability. A variety of water interventions are required at a range of scales (household, ii. Promote water resilient and sustainable agricultural practices that reduce reliance on water as a resource.

Policy B4 Disaster Management and Mitigation Guidelines i. Develop disaster management plans that prepare the region for the consequences of drought, flooding and other disaster risks that the region faces, considering the spatial informants as set out in this SDF being – Critical Biodiversity Areas, Environmental Support Areas, 1:50 year flood lines, steep slopes, aquifers and other spatial assets, opportunities and risks in the Central Karoo.

FIGURE 4.16: IMPROVE REGIONAL AND RURAL ACCESSIBILITY AND MOBILITY FOR PEOPLE AND GOODS IN SUPPORT OF A RESILIENT ECONOMY

4.2.3 STRATEGY C: ALLOCATE GOVERNMENT Policy C1 Guidelines: RESOURCES, INFRASTRUCTURE AND FACILITIES IN A MANNER THAT UPLIFTS AND SKILLS PEOPLE i. Ensure all new facility development explore co- AND FOCUSSES ON MAXIMISING IMPACT ON locating and clustering as a solution THE MOST POSSIBLE PEOPLE, WHILE PROVIDING ii. Identify land where housing opportunities can be A BASIC LEVEL OF SERVICE FOR ALL IN THE provided around existing schools. SETTLEMENTS OF THE KAROO iii. Ensure facilities are not developed in a land extensive manner. Government has limited budget, limited capacity to implement and limited land. Therefore, clustering and co-locating facilities and services must be pursued to ensure the maximum utilisation of land and resources.

4.2.3.1 POLICY C1: FACILITY CLUSTERING & DESIGN PROTOCOL FIGURE 4.18: RIEBEEK PRIMARY SCHOOL IN BELHARM To optimise the use of land, and precious resources, all CAPE TOWN, WHERE HOUSING HAS BEEN ‘WRAPPED new facility development must be multi-functional in AROUND’ THE SCHOOL SITE AND THE HALL IS MULTIFUNCTIONAL FOR BOTH SCHOOL AND nature. Facility types such as sports fields and halls COMMUNITY USE. must be designed and located in a way that affords different user groups at different times. The principles of space efficiency, multi- functionality and clustering must be applied to all facility provision projects. 4.2.3.2 POLICY C2: HUMAN SETTLEMENT FOCUS AREAS FOR 2019 – 2024 In addition to the above, housing provision on the Based on the population projections and housing peripheries of large school sites has the potential to numbers, the following are the priority investment area firstly reduce the housing backlog and secondly for human settlements, infrastructure and services for provide much-needed security and passive the next 5-year period (2019 – 2024): surveillance on school sites. See Figure xx below which illustrates how i. Priority 1: Beaufort West

ii. Priority 2: Prince Albert FIGURE 4.17: HOW EXISTING SCHOOL SITES CAN BE ‘WRAPPED’ iii. Priority 3: Laingsburg A report by the Department of Transport and Public WITH DIFFERENT HOUSING TYPOLOGIES TO PROVIDE PASSIVE Works and CSIR titled “An efficient and coordinated SURVEILLANCE, OPTIMISE LAND USE AND INCLUDE OTHER future for government offices in the Western Cape: A PUBLIC FACILITIES (WCG, 2015) spatially-enabled accessibility study” may be used as The region must actively desist from providing any a guiding tool, especially for the placement of social The concept illustrated above can be seen practically more government subsidy housing in areas where services. applied in the case of Riebeek Primary School in there are few to no economic opportunities such as Belhar, Cape Town, in Figure xx below. Leeu-Gamka / Bitterwater. This entrenches the cycle 81 of poverty and create poverty pockets and poverty 2. Identify all assets in the Central Karoo District and decline. Whilst the primary sector (and agriculture traps in the Province. Housing must be provided in who is responsible for maintaining (i.e. develop specifically) make up 23% of all jobs in the Central areas where there is some reasonable prospect of job asset register); Karoo, these jobs are generally poorly paid, subject to creation, economic growth and prospects for the 3. Identify critical assets based on the risk and seasonal variation and fluctuation due to the drought children of the Karoo. impact of asset or infrastructure failure; conditions of the Karoo. 4. Determine the maintenance options available Instead, the focus in low growth potential settlements and select option that has the lowest life-cycle The Western Cape Government’s Apprenticeship must be to improve skills of the persons living in these cost. Game Changer focuses on identifying the critical settlements, as well as to encourage the occupations for which there is, or will be high Greater detail is available on asset and infrastructure demand, but inadequate supply within the 5 priority development of economic opportunities. maintenance from various guidelines developed, economic sectors and implementing a strategy to such as the MFMA Local Government Capital Asset tackle these shortages.

Management Guideline (2008), Guidelines for The main goal of the Apprenticeship Game Changer Infrastructure Asset Management in Local 4.2.3.3 POLICY C3: ASSET MANAGEMENT & is to achieve sufficient, appropriately qualified Government (2007) and International Infrastructure INFRASTRUCTURE MAINTENANCE POLICY technical and vocational skilled people to meet the Management Manual (2006). needs of prioritised economic growth areas in the Assets and infrastructure in the Central Karoo, Western Cape, which are: consistent with national and provincial trends, are The core objective of this policy is to bring back focus under severe strain in part due to historic on asset and infrastructure maintenance, in 1. Oil and Gas, 2. Agri-processing, underinvestment in rehabilitation and renewal, recognition that no further spatial development, or growth, can be accommodated without the 3. Tourism, diminishing budgets, aging assets and infrastructure 4. Energy, and commensurate focus on maintaining those assets and and a focus on the creation of new infrastructure 5. ICT (Broadband). rather than on the maintenance of existing infrastructure that underpins existing urban growth infrastructure. and development. The Central Karoo will primarily be involved in agri- Given the above, the following sets out the asset processing, tourism and energy apprenticeships into management & infrastructure maintenance policy 4.2.3.4 POLICY C4: A SKILLED PEOPLE the future, with the potential for oil and gas in the medium to long term. that applies to water and sanitation assets, roads and Many municipalities focus on creating internal skills sidewalks, solid waste, building, storm water, and development plans for employees within the community facility assets. organisation. Beyond this, and arguably a far more Policy C4 Guidelines: Policy C3 Guidelines pressing need, there exists a clear mismatch between the skill set of the people of the Central Karoo when Based on the above, the Central Karoo should seek The District and local municipalities must prepare and compared to those sectors of the economy that are ways to upskill persons to: implement Asset and Infrastructure Maintenance exhibiting GDP and employment growth. The trend, as Plans that are responsive to their mandates and illustrated in section 3.2.8, is that the tertiary sector of • Participate in the tertiary economy – specifically responsibilities (or delegated responsibilities): the economy makes up over two-thirds of in retail, trade, catering and accommodation (i.e. employment opportunities in the economy, and are the tourism sector), business and social services; 1. Define maintenance outcomes desired per asset growing the fastest in relation to new job • Enter and create employment opportunities in the / infrastructure class; opportunities. In contrast, manufacturing makes up secondary (manufacturing) sector which is only 1.6% of all jobs in the economy, which is in 82

currently barely registering any performance in must be reflected in the Karoo. Some of the priority the region. focus area are: • Access the various apprenticeship game changer opportunities that arise. 1) Reducing Infectious diseases such as HIV/TB; 2) Improving healthy lifestyles; Although the District Municipality is not functionally 3) Preventing injuries and violence; responsible for skilling the people of the Karoo, 4) Improving maternal and child health; developmentally, this a critical task in fulfilling its 5) Strengthening women’s health; objectives to improve the quality of life of the people 6) Improving Mental Health; of the region, and to drive down unemployment as well as create a virtuous cycle of development.

Stakeholders in the tertiary skills, training and further 4.2.3.6 POLICY C7C6: POVERTY ALLEVIATION education sectors should be engaged to ensure the Poverty alleviation is rooted heavily in improving youth and adults are able to access training and skills education outcomes, expanding access to post- development opportunities to be able to create and school skills and training, growing the local economy take up employment in these sectors of the economy. and increasing the number and quality of jobs that are available.

4.2.3.5 POLICY C5: A HEALTHY PEOPLE The only sustainable way to reduce poverty is by creating opportunities for growth and jobs. This insight The region generally has access to adequate health informed the Western Cape Provincial Strategic Plan facilities, however key public health concerns relating 2009-2014, which sought to shift resources and energy to the Central Karoo are food security, malnutrition, into creating a context for growth and job teenage pregnancy, drug and alcohol abuse, and opportunities without compromising the state’s ability above-average HIV/AIDS rates. Many of these are to deliver better outcomes in health, education and linked to deeper-seated socio-economic issues, social development, and while refocusing efforts to however there exists a role for public health promote social inclusion. awareness, training, and various other public health interventions. Whilst it is not the role of an SDF to set out Strategically, the region must ensure all its these interventions, it is critical that governmental role- programmes, projects and actions support these players in this space create the necessary public goals, rather than undermine them health interventions in this region to address these issues, as again they are key factors in determining spatial growth and development outcomes for the region.

The Western Cape Government’s Healthcare 2030 sets out the health strategy of the Province, which

4.2.4 STRATEGY D: PARTNERSHIP-DRIVEN of priority. There is simply no longer an option to ‘do • LGMTEC engagements in April / May to ensure GOVERNANCE AND ADMINISTRATION nothing’. municipal budget alignment. TOWARDS IMPROVED FINANCIAL AND NON- FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY AND RESILIENCE 4.2.4.2 POLICY D2: INTEGRATED PLANNING, BUDGETTING AND IMPLEMENTATION The Central Karoo District municipality cannot, alone, address many of the social, economic and The Western Cape Government, together with the environmental issues and opportunities it faces. municipalities of the Western Cape, has implemented Indeed, it requires cooperation and partnership not an Integrated Work Plan with the intention that all of only with other spheres of government, but also government plan, budget and implement in a more partnerships with civic organisations, private sector coordinated, integrated and sequenced manner. business and the public at large to comprehensively The various platforms and engagements each have address many of the challenges. their own purposes, however it should be noted that This section sets out the key policy interventions these are the engagements through which integrated required to promote partnership-driven governance planning, integrated budgeting and integrated in support of implementing the Central Karoo’s Spatial implementation are reported on and should take Development Framework. place. The Central Karoo DM should use these forums to ensure the implementation of the Integrated Development Plan and Spatial Development Framework. 4.2.4.1 POLICY D1: SHARED SERVICE CENTRE FOR THE CENTRAL KAROO Various annual engagements are set out in the FIGURE 4.19: THE INTEGRATED WORK PLAN AS SEEN AS AN Integrated Work Plan (2018), as shown in Figure xx, ANNUAL CYCLE The Central Karoo is a sparsely populated region that which in short are: can greatly benefit from ‘bringing together’ the experience, capabilities and finances of the 3 local • Provincial Strategic Planning in July – ensuring municipalities under a single umbrella shared service provincial alignment at the strategic label; centre for a range of functions, no least of which is the planning function as defined in SPLUMA, LUPA and the • PTM & MM engagement in September – ensuring local municipal planning bylaws. Such shared service provincial and municipal planning engagement centres could also include provincial regional offices over strategic planning alignment; and expertise as well, if this is required. • Integrated Municipal Engagements (IDP Indaba A Shared Service Centre Model for the Karoo was 1) in October / November – ensuring strategic and developed in 2012 but not implemented. This must be technical alignment between provincial government and municipal government; implemented as a matter of priority, specifically for the

Planning function, but not exclusively so. All • PGMTEC 1 & 2 in November and January for municipalities must budget for this action as a matter provincial budget alignment; and

4.2.5 Municipal wide composite map

FIGURE 4.20: COMPOSITE SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK FOR THE CENTRAL KAROO INDICATING SPATIAL PLANNING CATEGORIES